South Africa’s drag community is entering a historic new era as World of Wonder (WOW) officially greenlights Drag Race South Africa, marking the first-ever African edition of the global Drag Race franchise. The announcement, made during the prestigious MIPCOM event in Cannes, confirms that casting will begin in 2025, with the series set to stream worldwide on WOW Presents Plus (WOWPP) in 2026.
This major expansion brings Africa into the celebrated Drag Race universe—an important milestone after years of African drag representation appearing on global stages but without a local platform of its own. Now, South Africa is set to spotlight its queens on the world’s biggest drag reality show.
What Is Drag Race South Africa 2026?
Drag Race South Africa is the highly anticipated first African version of the global RuPaul’s Drag Race universe. The show is expected to follow the iconic format—featuring runway challenges, lip sync battles, maxi challenges, and emotional storytelling rooted in queer and drag culture.
While official production partners are expected to be announced soon, industry insiders suggest that the show will follow international standards similar to other Drag Race editions. With South Africa’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, powerful drag history, and rising queer representation in entertainment, this franchise launch has been called “long overdue.
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WOW Confirms Drag Race South Africa 2026 — A Landmark Moment for the Continent
According to WOW, Drag Race South Africa 2026 will feature a brand-new cast of queens, each showcasing their signature drag styles, cultural influences, runway creativity, and personal stories.
The move comes after years of African queens making strong impressions on the US version—most notably BeBe Zahara Benet, born in Cameroon, who won the very first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
WOW co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato highlighted the importance of this expansion:
“We have seen a host of gorgeous, talented queens hailing from across Africa grace the runway over the years, so now it’s time for a unique version from South Africa that includes the incredible talent the continent has to offer.”
They added that their long-term mission has been to bring Drag Race to every continent, and South Africa marks a huge leap toward that goal.
WOW Presents Plus Will Stream the Series in 190 Territories
Drag Race South Africa will stream globally on WOW Presents Plus, placing the new edition alongside international versions such as:
- Drag Race Mexico
- Drag Race Thailand
- Drag Race UK
- Drag Race Down Under
WOWPP has rapidly grown into the main destination for global Drag Race series. In 2024, it recorded:
- 31% increase in watch time
- 38% growth in subscribers year-on-year
The platform even introduced a 24/7 linear stream, offering nonstop Drag Race content, which will likely boost visibility for the South African edition.
Casting for Drag Race South Africa Begins in 2026
WOW confirmed that the official casting window opens in 2026, giving South African drag performers time to prepare their applications.
Applicants can expect a format similar to other Drag Race international editions:
📌 Expected Eligibility
- Must be 18+
- Must be a South African citizen or resident
- Must identify as a drag performer
- Must be available for 4–6 weeks of filming
📌 Expected Application Requirements
- A drag introduction video
- Runway walk clip
- Performance sample
- In-drag & out-of-drag photos
- A detailed questionnaire
📌 Expected Timeline
- Casting Opens: 2025
- Casting Deadline: Late 2025 / early 2026
- Filming: Mid-2026
- Premiere: Late 2026 on WOWPP
WOW teased the announcement on social media with the message:
“Start your engines, South Africa… Drag Race South Africa has officially been greenlit. Casting begins 2025.”
A New Stage for South Africa’s Drag Culture
South Africa has long been home to a vibrant and diverse drag scene. From Johannesburg’s club shows to Cape Town’s “Queens van die Kaap”—a local drag reality series that premiered on Showmax—the country already has deep roots in queer performance culture.
Drag Race South Africa now promises a platform that elevates this culture globally.
The show will bring visibility to:
- Indigenous and township drag styles
- Pageant queens and ballroom performers
- Gender-diverse artists
- Queer creatives who haven’t had global reach until now
Africa’s drag culture is ready to shine—and Drag Race SA will be its global runway.
A Major Step in a Growing Global Franchise
The Drag Race franchise has expanded rapidly since RuPaul debuted the original series in 2009. Today it includes:
- 16 seasons of the US edition
- 29 Emmy Awards
- 15+ international versions
- Spin-offs including Drag Race All Stars, Global All Stars, Secret Celebrity Drag Race & Drag U
Drag Race South Africa becomes the third original global series commissioned directly by WOW Presents Plus, following:
✓ Drag Race Mexico
✓ Drag Race Philippines
✓ Now Drag Race South Africa
With Africa joining the Drag Race family, only a handful of regions remain without a local edition.
What to Expect in Drag Race South Africa Season 1 (2026)
While no hosts or judges have been announced yet, fans expect:
- Leading South African drag icons
- Celebrity guest judges from music, fashion, and media
- Possible cameo messages from RuPaul, as seen in other global editions
The show will feature the traditional mix of:
- Maxi challenges
- Acting & comedy tasks
- Runway presentations
- Lip sync battles
- Emotional storytelling rooted in queer culture
Q. When will Drag Race South Africa premiere?
Ans. Late 2026 on WOW Presents Plus.
Q. Is this the first African Drag Race?
Ans. Yes—this is the first African edition in the global Drag Race franchise.
