The third season ofYoung, Famous & Africanpremiered in 2025, with two new cast members and the departure of two others heading into the season. In all,the show features actors, media personalities, businesspeople, models, fashion stylists, musicians, and athletes all navigating life while maintaining their fame at an all-time high.TheYoung, Famous & Africancast is also a large one, with 14 people returning for the third season, as two newcomers replace the departing stars.
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Khanyi Mbau (Guest in Season 3)
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2-3
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Diamond Platnumz
Seasons 1-3
Diamond Platnumz has been on all three seasons ofYoung, Famous & African. Real name Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack,Diamond Platnumz spent the first season with Zari Hassan, the mother of his two children. However, their relationship was a focus of all three seasons and was filled with drama when he began a romance with Fantana, creating rivalries within the show’s cast. Diamond Platnumz became famous through his music career, and he also founded a major music label in East Africa.
Annie Macaulay-Idibia
Annie Macaulay-Idibia is another three-seasonYoung, Famous & Africancast member. Her first season storyline saw her dealing withher struggles with the fact that 2Baba had cheated on herin the past, which was highlighted by his other children. She then entered into a conflicted storyline with her friend Swanky Jerry, which caused tension leading into the second season. From Nigeria, Macaulay-Idibia is a model and actress known for her roles in Nollywood films.
Zari Hassan
Zari Hassan had conflict from the start whenshe dealt with her ex-partner Diamond Platnumzand their co-parenting. However, she had more drama when she showed that she still had feelings for Platnumz while also starting to fall for Andile Ncube and then moving on to Shakib Lutaaya, who was 12 years younger than her. Hassan is a musician and socialite from Uganda who gained popularity through both her music and entrepreneurial ventures.
Nadia Nakai
Nadia Kakai was more interested in her career than she was in the romantic drama that plagued much of the cast. She soon became closer to the entire group, with Zari Hassan being one of her close friends. However,her most touching storyline came when she developed a close relationship with rapper AKA, and her emotional breakdown after his passing was part of season 3. Nakai gained her fame initially thanks to the e.tv hip-hop show,Shiz Niz, where she won the Mixtape 101 competition.
Swanky Jerry
Swanky Jerry (real name Jeremiah Ogbodo) showed his close friendship with Khanyi Mbau thanks to shared experiences in the entertainment industry.He feuded with Annie Macaulay-Idibiain season 2,and this feud continued into season 3, although he remained close with Fantana and Nadia. Swanky Jerry is a Nigerian celebrity stylist best known for his distinctive, carefully cultivated style.
Naked DJ
Naked DJ was involved in aromantic relationship throughout the series with Kayleigh Schwark.Unlike other members of theYoung, Famous & Africancast, he was someone who mostly avoided drama and kept a level head through most of the other cast members' tumultuous moments. He finally asked Schwark to marry him in season 3. Naked DJ (real name Quinton Masina) is a South African DJ and radio personality.
Kayleigh Schwark
Kayleigh Schwark joined theYoung, Famous & Africancast as Naked DJ’s girlfriend. Like Naked DJ, she is a calm and positive person in the group, often staying out of conflict and offering stability to those around her. She was a huge fan favorite for viewers and other cast members, andby season 3, the group convinced Naked DJ to finally propose. Schwark is a South African lifestyle and fitness influencer.
Khanyi Mbau
Seasons 1-3 (Guest in Season 3)
Khanyi Mbau was one of the most entertaining and polarizing cast members onYoung, Famous & Africanwhen she joined in season 1. She quickly showed her confidence, which clashed with that of several in the group, including Zari Hassan. She was then part of a hugelydramatic storyline in season 2 with Hassan and Diamond Platnumz. In the third season, she mainly appeared in a minor guest role. Mbau is a South African actress and television personality.
2Baba
Seasons 1-3 (Recurring Guest)
2Baba mainly served as a recurring guest in theYoung, Famous & Africancast. In the first season,he was part of Annie Macaulay-Idibia’s storyline, as he had cheated on her in the past, but remained supportive of her in the present day. He was more active in season 2, feuding with Nadia Nakai, while renewing his wedding vows with Macaulay-Idibia. However, he barely appeared at all in season 3. 2Baba is one of Nigeria’s most iconic musicians, with several hit songs and having won an MTV Africa Music Award and a BET Award.
Andile Ncube
Seasons 1-2
Andile Ncube was part of the originalYoung, Famous & Africancast in season 1and mainly served as a host, asking everyone questionsabout their lives. In the second season, he continued as an interviewer and was the one who got all the scoops for fans watching the show at home. The host ofBig Brother AfricaandThe Real Goboza, Ncube left the series after the second season, although the reason for his departure remains unknown.
