Awkward Dates

Last updated
Awkward Dates
Awkward Dates.jpeg
Genre Dating show
Created by Lasizwe
Presented byLasizwe Dambuza
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes76
Production
Production companyTD Media
Original release
Network
Release4 August 2023 (2023-08-04) –
present

Awkward Dates is a South African YouTube dating show created and hosted by Lasizwe, and produced by his production company TD Media. The show follows Lasizwe going on blind dates with various celebrities. [1]

Contents

The first YouTube video was posted in August 2023, and as of October 2024, 76 episodes have been released.

The show has been nominated at the 2024 South African Film and Television Awards, in the Best Online Content category. [2]

On 12 April 2025, the show premiered on Mzansi Magic following its online success. [3]

In June 2025, the show was removed from DSTV by MultiChoice. The decision reportedly followed the claim that most guests demanded to be paid. The guests claimed to have agreed only to appear on YouTube and not mainstream TV. This situation forced Lasizwe and Multichoice to terminate their contract. [4]

Background

Awkward Dates involves Lasizwe meeting celebrity guests at local restaurants for a date, where they engage in casual, awkward, and sometimes hilarious conversations. [5]

The first season of Awkward Dates showed viewers all the awkwardness that happens on first dates. This included not being able to use some utensils correctly, as well as some uncomfortable small talk. Lasizwe's sister Khanyi Mbau, brother Lungile, friend Mihlali Ndamase, including musicians Kamo Mphela, Toss and politician Mmusi Maimane, were the first celebrities featured on season 1. [6] [7]

List of episodes

No.Date of EpisodeGuestRef.
14 August 2023 Mmusi Maimane
211 August 2023Toss
318 August 2023 Kamo Mphela
425 August 2023Mihlali Ndamase
51 September 2023Lungile (Lasizwe's brother)
68 September 2023 Khanyi Mbau
715 September 2023Kwenzo Ngcobo
822 September 2023 Ntando Duma
929 September 2023Seemah
106 October 2023 Minnie Dlamini [8]
1113 October 2023Cyan Boujee
1222 October 2023 Faith Nketsi
1329 October 2023 Vusi Nova
145 November 2023Londie London
1512 November 2023 Bontle Modiselle
1619 November 2023Dawn Thandeka King
1726 November 2023DJ Sbu
183 December 2023Anele Zondo
197 December 2023 Nadia Nakai
202 February 2024Its Thandooo
219 February 2024 Clement Maosa
2216 February 2024 Zola Nombona
2323 February 2024Primo (Primo9teen) Baloyi
241 March 2024 Unathi Nkayi
258 March 2024Libho Geza
2615 March 2024Rami Chuene
2722 March 2024 Maps Maponyane
2828 March 2024Just Daddy G (Gontse)
294 April 2024Junior De Rocka
3011 April 2024 Sandile Mahlangu
3118 April 2024 Thando Thabethe
3225 April 2024Zillewizzy
339 May 2024Tshepo Koke
3416 May 2024Yanda Woods
3523 May 2024Manaka Ranaka
3630 May 2024Ghost Hlubi
374 June 2024Moghelingz
386 June 2024 Jesse Suntele
3911 June 2024Mologadi (Titus) & Lungile
4013 June 2024JosephDary
4118 June 2024Dominic Zaca & Lungile
4220 June 2024The Funny Chef
4325 June 2024Khaya Dlala & Lungile
4427 June 2024BU (Luthando)
452 July 2024Ntokozo Mahlinza & Lungile
464 July 2024 Linda Mtoba [9]
479 July 2024 Nomsa Buthelezi & Lungile
4819 July 2024Sean (Rockets Owner)
4923 July 2024 Pearl Thusi & Lungile
5011 August 2024 Elaine
5118 August 2024 Zee Nxumalo
5220 August 2024Mpho Pops
5327 August 2024Liema Pantsi
543 September 2024Khosi Thwala
5510 September 2024DBN Gogo
5617 September 2024Christall Kay
5719 September 2024Zintle Mofokeng & Ntokozo Mahlinza
5824 September 2024Sphokhule N
5927 September 2024Siyamthanda
602 October 2024Mapaseka Pasi Koetle
614 October 2024Nobantu Vilakazi & Ntokozo Mahlinza
629 October 2024Tsitsi Chiumy
6311 October 2024Letroy Mashigo
6416 October 2024Nonku Williams
6521 October 2024Kagiso Magola & Lungile
6624 October 2024Seekay
676 November 2024 Boity
6819 November 2024Mduduzi Mabaso
6921 November 2024Gugu Mandela
7026 November 2024Celeste Ntuli
7127 November 2024Randy
725 December 2024 Julius Malema [10]
7317 December 2024 Kwesta
7431 December 2024Andile
7516 January 2025 Kenneth Nkosi
7621 January 2025Khanyisa
7727 January 2025Paballo
785 February 2025Priddy Ugly
7911 February 2025Minenhle Sithole
8019 February 2025Wian
8123 February 2025Zuki Lamani
8228 February 2025 Anele Mdoda
8322 May 2025 Zozibini Tunzi
8429 May 2025Sol Phenduka
855 June 2025 Asavela
8614 June 2025 Simon Kaggwa Njala
8719 June 2025 Nkosazana Daughter
8827 June 2025 Brain Jotter
893 July 2025 Zakes Bantwini
9010 July 2025JoJo Robinson
9120 July 2025Laconco
921 August 2025Tumi Seeco
9314 August 2025Lady Du

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2024 South African Film and Television Awards Best online contentAwkward DatesNominated [11]

References

  1. ↑ "We sit down with SAFTA nominee Lasizwe to discuss his show 'Awkward Dates" . Drum Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  2. ↑ "Lasizwe Gushes Over His Show Bagging A SAFTA Nomination". youthvillage.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ↑ "Lasizwe Gushes Over His Show Bagging A SAFTA Nomination". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  4. ↑ "Controversy forces Lasizwe Dambuza and MultiChoice to split and take Awkward Dates off air". news24.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  5. ↑ "Lasizwe reveals how dark times inspired Awkward Dates". bona.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  6. ↑ "Lasizwe Dambuza Launches Another Interesting Dating Show". youthvillage.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  7. ↑ "Lasizwe reflects on all-star cast for 'Awkward Dates'". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  8. ↑ "WATCH: Minnie Dlamini goes on an awkward date with Lasizwe". citizen.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  9. ↑ "Linda Mtoba goes on a Awkward Date with Lasizwe". bona.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  10. ↑ "Julius Malema's 'Awkward Date' with Lasizwe Dambuza leaves fans in stitches". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  11. ↑ "2024's SAFTA nominations announced: See all the dominators and new categories at this year's event". news24.com. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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