Donell Mbele, the 23-year-old son of actress and producer Sonia Mbele, has reportedly been removed from the cast of Born Into Fame, Showmax’s reality series. The decision comes after Donell was accused of two counts of rape by his 17-year-old girlfriend, who filed the charges following incidents that allegedly occurred at his home in December 2023. Donell was granted R1,000 bail after his appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Born Into Fame follows the lives of South Africans with famous parents, showcasing their attempts to build their own legacies while navigating the pressures of growing up in the spotlight. As the son of a well-established actress and producer, Donell had been set to join the cast of the second season, giving viewers a glimpse into his life and challenges of being born into the limelight.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela broke the news on social media, explaining in a TikTok video, “Showmax reality show Born Into Fame has been green-lit for a second season. Donell Mbele, the son of famed producer and actress Sonia Mbele, was pegged to join the main cast. However, following sexual misconduct allegations, the potential offer was rescinded.”
A source close to the production company confirmed the decision, telling ZiMoja, “The producers felt they would appear as rape apologists if they continued with him on the show. Only when he is proven innocent will he get the opportunity to be part of the show. But it would put the company in a bad light to have someone who is charged with rape on the show.”
The show’s first season, which premiered in 2024, included a notable cast of famous kids such as Shamiso Mosaka, Phila Madlingozi, Robbie Malinga Junior, Tank The Rockstar, Owami, and AJ Mafokate.
In an exclusive interview with DRUM magazine, Sonia Mbele finally addressed the ongoing case, revealing that there are still many unanswered questions. “There’s a lot that hasn’t been revealed yet, and I’d prefer not to comment until the full truth comes out,” she shared.
Check out PhilMphela's video on @tiktok_sa!
DONELL Mbele dropped from a reality show …. #KgopoloReportshttps://t.co/R7vpDonnyg
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) January 20, 2025
