Anele Mdoda’s Netflix wedding series joins local TV wedding specials

Anele Mdoda’s wedding is about to reach a global audience. According to IOL, ‘Stars and Vows: Anele & Buzza’ starts streaming on Netflix on 13 November, after a trailer that hints at drama, luxury, family dynamics and Xhosa royal traditions.

The four-part series follows the 947 presenter and Prince Bonelela ‘Buzza James’ Mgudlwa as they head towards their wedding. Viewers will see the planning, a bridal party trip to Kenya, strained family relationships and the celebrations in the Eastern Cape. Nomzamo Mbatha and Teddy Geldart are credited as creators, working with Vuyo Sowah and Petronella Tasara.

Earlier celebrity wedding specials

Mdoda is not the first local star to let cameras record a wedding. IOL listed several earlier examples.

• ‘Minnie Dlamini: Becoming Mrs Jones’: This three-part special first aired on VUZU AMP on 13 October 2017. It covered dress fittings, a bachelorette trip to Paris, a traditional ceremony that showed Zulu marriage customs, and a white wedding in Somerset West. Dlamini wore a Swarovski crystal-covered dress by Gert-Johan Coetzee. She also developed the concept and produced the show, which later aired on Mzansi Magic on Sundays from 15 to 29 April 2018.
• ‘Somizi & Mohale: The Union’: Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung’s four-part special debuted on Showmax on 24 February 2020. It showed their traditional wedding in Kibler Park, Johannesburg, in September 2019, then the lead-up to a white wedding in Muldersdrift. It also showed their bachelor parties and the blending of Zulu and Sotho heritage. Guests included Bonang Matheba and Cassper Nyovest, with performances by Vusi Nova and Judith Sephuma. Mzansi Magic broadcast it daily at 8pm from 27 to 30 April 2020. IOL notes it was among the earliest high-profile same-sex celebrity weddings shown on South African television.
• ‘Kwakuhle Kwethu’: Actress Dineo Langa and rapper Zothile ‘Solo’ Langa shared their traditional and white weddings in a three-part series. It premiered on 1Magic (DStv channel 103) on 16 September 2019 at 7pm.
• ‘PS: I Love You’: Phumeza and Mnqobi ‘Shota’ Mdabe’s four-part special started on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on 24 September 2022. After eight years together, they looked back at their relationship and what they had learnt. The show covered the umembeso and umbondo ceremonies that united their Xhosa and Zulu families, and it ended with a white wedding. The couple also used love letters while working on their vows.

What viewers need to know

The date to diarise is 13 November, when the Anele and Buzza series starts on Netflix. IOL’s report does not say whether all four episodes will be released together or weekly, so check the platform closer to the time.

Several of the earlier specials were first shown on streaming services or smaller channels and later repeated on Mzansi Magic. Repeat broadcasts or streaming libraries are therefore the likeliest places to catch them, though the source does not confirm current availability.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.