Breaking Ground: Tanzania’s ‘Wa Milele?’ Triumphs in Reality Television

Wa Milele?, a Tanzanian reality show co-produced by Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa, recently won Best Unscripted Series at the AMVCA awards. This groundbreaking series addresses the complex topic of marriage, capturing real-life stories and struggles of couples in Tanzania, and setting a new standard for local reality television.

In recent months, the Tanzanian reality television series, Wa Milele?, has made waves, earning the award for Best Unscripted Series at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 9, 2025. This show, co-produced by local filmmakers Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa, marks a significant accomplishment not only for the producers but also for the Tanzanian film industry as a whole, which often struggles for recognition on continental stages.

Kefa Igilo, one of the producers, recently spoke with The Citizen, sharing insights about the inception of Wa Milele? It all began during a meeting with Showmax, where Kefa’s vision aligned with the network’s objective of creating a locally relevant reality show addressing pressing social issues. “I’ve worked in television before, but Wa Milele? is my first reality show and also my first series. It started when my concept met Showmax’s vision to create a local reality show rooted in our community and speaking to real issues,” Kefa said.

What sets Wa Milele? apart from other local reality shows is its focus on the sensitive topic of marriage. Kefa noted that many similar programs skirt around the realities of married life, a gap they aimed to fill. “None of the reality producers here had ever done something around marriage hearings or real-life couple experiences,” he remarked. The intention was clear: to educate while entertaining, creating a reflection of Tanzanian society.

The development of the show came through intense brainstorming sessions where Kefa pitched his ideas. He expressed a desire to present something authentic and unfiltered. “I wanted to do something different, something real. Most people think they’re watching reality TV, but a lot of it is scripted or fake,” Kefa explained. With Wa Milele?, the goal became depicting the realities of life without glossing over the hardships.

The journey of Wa Milele? highlights the potential of localized stories in reality television. It emphasizes the need for sincerity when addressing themes that resonate within communities. Kefa Igilo’s vision and the show’s AMVCA win indicate not only a triumph for Tanzanian film and television but also the importance of discussing personal matters that are often kept behind closed doors. As Wa Milele? continues to air, it may very well inspire a generation of filmmakers and viewers alike to open dialogue about marriage and relationships.

Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz