Kasi Living: Edladleni is atelevision show often thought to be a local interpretation of popular MTV show Cribs. The typical version features a glimpse into the homes of the biggest celebrities in the world, but the South African version has a unique twist.
Hosted by actor and comedian Siyabonga Radebe, Kasi Living explores some of the most opulent homes in townships such as Daveyton. The homes are owned by ordinary citizens who have been fortunate enough to have the means to build extravagant homes, even in the most rural areas of the country.
“We’re going into the townships; we’re seeing different houses that are so beautiful that they could be in the suburbs. While they’re often in undeveloped townships, people have renovated or built their homes to create something very special,” says Radebe.
The emergence of township living can be traced back to the apartheid era in South Africa when government initiated forced removals to separate people of different races. Black people were moved from the cities into locations (townships) created for them so that they would remain at arm’s length from white communities. Living conditions were appalling and sprawling townships eventually became overcrowded. Over the years however, residents in these townships have thrived and some have managed to extend traditional four-roomed houses. A popular trend with people from townships who have amassed wealth is to remain living in the township and make the best of their situation. Some of the country’s wealthiest people come from these townships.
The show airs on Sundays at 6:30 pm on eKasi+, Channel 105 OpenView HD.