Samke and Xoli Mfeka’s bodies won’t work for them this time around. They are s*ductive, feisty, and they speak the truth. This Body Works For Me, a Showmax reality series, returns for a second season with three fresh competitors. Thanks to its blend of fun, drama, sisterhood, and sexiness, the 18SNL reality series about the South African adult entertainment industry topped the charts on Twitter and Showmax during its first season. Samkelisiwe “Samke” Nkwanyana, a s*x worker and social media personality, and Xolisile Mfeka won’t be appearing on the show again. The two women have been replaced with str!pper Diamond and transgender person Lebo from Dione Xanthe.
Cast members Bubbly, Wandi Ndlovu, and Prima Donna from the previous season are back on the show. This season, Bubbly aims to be more honest and assertive in her self-defense.
“I am still the same Bubbly person but I am learning to put my foot down more so that people do not take advantage of my kindness,” says Bubbly. Gina is trying to be more peaceful this season. “I honestly tried to come in the new season with an open mind and an open heart,” says Gina.
“I do not like how I lost some friendships last season; I want to get along more with the ladies and have a good time while building each other up.” Primadonna’s goal for this season is to grow and pursue the things she loves. “In Season 1, people did not get to know me fully: I am a very chilled person that gets along with everyone,” she says. “Because of how things happened last season, I was always on the defence. This year is different: you will still see drama but you will get to know me better.”
The new characters
Diamond is a mother and stripper from Alexandra in Johannesburg, who prides herself on being very calm.” I joined Season 2 because I want people to see the truth about being a stripper,” says Diamond.
“It is not just what you see at face value; we are real people, with real emotions and there are people who depend on us. We go through a lot. It is not an easy job. It is a craft that we work hard to perfect and I think people do not realise that. My biggest goal is to shed light on this industry and, maybe, hopefully, that might help someone else.” Lebo, from Tembisa in the East Rand, is an aspiring farmer and the first trans woman on the show.
“It makes it harder that as a trans woman that I am already also a sex worker,” says Lebo. “My aim for being on This Body Works For Me is to show people the trans experience. We all come in different shapes and sizes. No story is the same; every story is unique and every story deserves a platform. I hope to teach and make it easier for those who are coming after me.” When asked about why she would not return, Samke asked money from ZiMoja in order to comment. Xoli Mfeka was not available for comment.
