The show’s producers have promised greater diversity in future editions
Love Island South Africa has been slammed for a lack of diversity as this year’s edition features a near all-white cast – despite the population of South Africa being around 80 percent black.
The contestants will be expected to couple up while competing against each other in the pursuit of the R1 million prize money (just under £50,000).
Just three of the 10 contestants in this year’s edition are black or of black heritage.
Many social media users criticised the show’s lineup for not being a proportional representation of the South African population, and for not representing Africa as a continent.
So this is Love Island SA! SA! Like South Africa !!! South AFRICA ! Where majority of the population is black cause it’s AF👏🏾RI👏🏾CCCCAAAA! It’s 2021 please let’s not play these games . Aint nobody got time for that pic.twitter.com/MzyG8d9LlJ
— Elsa Majimbo 🇿🇦 (@ElsaAngel19) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/finstatw/status/1366107947756113921?s=20
https://twitter.com/callumtwalker/status/1366178356719476736?s=20
Historically, black people in South Africa have faced many socio-economic disadvantages, typically residing in more impoverished areas of the country with poorer educational and employment opportunities on the horizon.
A statement from the show’s TV network DStv said “we pride ourselves in reflecting diversity and inclusion for all our shows.
“Viewers can be assured that this will become more apparent in future episodes of Love Island SA.
“We hope viewers will keep watching to enjoy the new stars of the show who will be arriving over the next few days.”
News site IOL say it is likely more contestants will be introduced at later stages of this year’s competition, which provides producers with a chance to rectify a lack of diversity.
