Remember when Friday night television meant settling in for a glamorous peek into the lives of the stars? Mzansi Magic is bringing that feeling back, with a modern twist.

VIP Lounge, a bold new magazine and lifestyle show, premieres on Friday 2 October at 21:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161. Hosted by Zulu Mkhathini and Pamela Mtanga, it promises a space where luxury, influence and culture converge, all with a distinctly South African flair.

The show sets out to celebrate Black South African excellence across television, film, fashion, music, art, culture, lifestyle and current affairs. Each episode will share the success stories shaping modern Mzansi, paying tribute to global trends while proudly showcasing local achievement.

Access is the name of the game. Viewers will be taken behind the scenes of their favourite telenovelas to see how the magic happens, and introduced to the stars they love on a more personal level. The show will spend time with the country's hottest fashion designers, deliver the inside scoop on the latest looks and trends, and step inside Mzansi's biggest and most exclusive events.

There will also be up-close encounters with top musicians and visits to celebrity homes, offering a glimpse of the lives behind the glamour. In short, it is being billed as a front-row seat to the sets, homes and spaces most of us never get to see.

For Zulu Mkhathini, the show fills a gap. "I'm excited to be part of a show that celebrates Black South African excellence. A lifestyle magazine show is what we need right now," he says. "It's super nostalgic with a twist, and I'm excited to be back on screen. I'm also looking forward to sharing the platform with the super talented Ms. Pamela Mtanga."

For Pamela Mtanga, it marks a welcome return to television. "It's been a couple of years since I've been on TV, so that makes this opportunity all the more special," she says. "I've always wanted to be part of television that feels current, fun, and connected to what's happening in Mzansi right now. I'm also excited to share the space with Zulu. We've already had so much fun putting it together, and I can't wait for everyone to finally see it."

VIP Lounge is an advertiser-funded production sponsored by Rémy Martin and Glenfiddich, both part of the Edward Snell & Co. portfolio, alongside Sportingbet. A spokesperson for Edward Snell & Co. said both brands were proud to help bring stories of South African talent, ambition and culture to life. Sportingbet described the show as a premium lifestyle platform that complements its own brand.

The series is produced by Homebrew Films.

VIP Lounge premieres on Friday 2 October 2026 at 21:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161.