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MJ MAPONYA is gearing to make his reality TV comeback on Moja Love’s The Way Ngingakhona season 5, which premieres on Saturday.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, the reality TV star, who is also known for his appearance on Temptation Island South Africa, opened up about the challenges he faced after the previous seasons including the loss of his mother in 2021, which led to depression, hurt and isolation.
MJ Maponya, real name Jonathan, also shared that his son’s mother took away his son and moved to Mpumalanga, leaving his son in a difficult situation — and while that was portrayed on the show, he never got to speak about his side of story.
“I’m ready to tell my truth. It’s high time that people hear and know my truth, my side of the story. I feel like in the first two seasons, people were sharing their side of the story.
“My baby mother’s side of the story, me listening to my mom and trying to figure out my life and reality TV, people have heard everyone’s side expect mine. I was in a blur, now I’m back to enjoy and to do something that I had to embrace. I’m ready for people to get to know MJ.”
As a former football player, MJ has worked with several football clubs, including Sundowns Development, Free State Stars and Mpumalanga Black Aces. He also worked as a private trainer for notable figures, including DJ Maphorisa and Major League DJz.
“I was a football player who had to embrace television, because that was God’s next plan for me.”
MJ said he is now ready to unleash something more about himself.
“I’m no longer a rookie in TV since I’ve done a couple of shows. I’m still MJ, but I’ve changed. I love doing reality TV now, and I love how the platform has done so much for me. I’ve studied music and seen how it’s done, and that’s what I want to venture into.” — Times.
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