Netflix’s South African comedy How to Ruin Love returns with a new season focused on wedding chaos. How to Ruin Love: The Lobola premiered on December 19, 2025, and continues the story of Zoleka and Kagiso as they plan their marriage. The three-episode season puts a modern couple’s love to the test through traditional family customs, financial stress, and the unexpected interference of a reality TV crew. This guide breaks down what the show is about and who will enjoy it most.
What is the new season about?
The story picks up with Zoleka (Sivenathi Mabuya) and Kagiso (Bohang Moeko) trying to plan their wedding. Their vision for a simple celebration quickly becomes complicated. Kagiso is worried about the spiraling costs, while Zoleka sees a chance to create a perfect public event.
The central conflict involves the lobola, a traditional Southern African custom where the groom’s family presents a gift, often cattle, to the bride’s family. Kagiso’s family wants to honor this tradition. However, Zoleka’s grandfather unexpectedly arrives and demands a traditional payment of 11 cows, a request that shocks everyone and pushes Kagiso into a desperate situation.
To meet this demand, Kagiso makes a risky deal with a charismatic but intimidating businesswoman named Mbazo (Meme Ditshego) to borrow the cattle. When the plan goes wrong, it leads to a chaotic confrontation on a busy Johannesburg highway, with loose cows causing traffic and Mbazo threatening Kagiso. All this unfolds as a Netflix film crew follows the couple, hoping to capture dramatic footage for a wedding special.
Who are the main characters and cast?
The season brings back the core cast from the first season and introduces some new faces.
- Sivenathi Mabuya plays Zoleka, a strong-willed woman trying to control her wedding while managing family expectations. Mabuya described Zoleka as “a lot – she’s so big and bold,” different from any role she had played before.
- Bohang Moeko returns as Kagiso, a man caught between his love for Zoleka, financial pressure, and the desire to satisfy his family’s traditions.
- Thando Thabethe plays Beauty, Zoleka’s friend who encourages her to aim for a grand wedding.
- Mapaseka Koetle Nyokong plays Katlego, Kagiso’s sister. She is navigating life after a divorce and finds herself unexpectedly connecting with a man named Luyolo.
- Zola Nombona joins as Kazi, Zoleka’s friend from America who is named maid of honour.
- The late Meme Ditshego appears as Mbazo, the loan shark. Her performance is noted as one of her final roles.
Bohang Moeko, who plays Kagiso, said about returning for the season: “I knew this would be another project where they create these amazing environments with funny, well-defined characters that you can really play with… And when I realised who else was cast, I thought, ‘Oh, this is gonna be magic.’”
Release and streaming details
How to Ruin Love: The Lobola is available to stream worldwide on Netflix. All three episodes of the season were released at once on Thursday, December 19, 2025.
For viewers in the United States, the season went live at 12:00 AM Pacific Time or 3:00 AM Eastern Time. You need an active Netflix subscription to watch it. The show is a sequel to the first season, How to Ruin Love: The Proposal, which is also available on the platform.
What are viewers saying?
Initial reactions highlight the show’s humor and its take on cultural traditions. One viewer on Facebook praised the show’s ability to blend comedy with relatable family drama, giving the season a 7.5 out of 10 rating. The same viewer enjoyed the South African music featured in the show and the beautiful scenery of the Eastern Cape province.
The performance of the cast has also received positive comments, with one social media reviewer calling them “the heartbeat” of the series. The chaotic yet funny portrayal of lobola negotiations and wedding planning seems to resonate with audiences looking for a lighthearted story about modern relationships.
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Final verdict: Stream It or Skip It?
If you enjoyed the first season of How to Ruin Love or the original How To Ruin Christmas series, this new season offers more of the same chaotic family comedy. The show finds humor in the clash between modern love and deep-rooted tradition, with a fast-paced plot centered on a disastrous wedding week.
You might want to stream it if you like romantic comedies with a specific cultural perspective, stories about family interference, or quick binge-watches. The three-episode format makes for an easy watch.
You might want to skip it if you prefer slower-paced narratives, have not seen the first season, or are looking for a serious drama. The comedy is broad and the situations are intentionally over-the-top for entertainment value.
The season also serves as a tribute to actor Meme Ditshego, whose memorable performance adds a unique energy to the story.
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