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Love Island South Africa, the local adaptation to the hugely successful UK show, premiered on M-Net on Sunday, February 28. However, the pilot episode was met with much criticism by viewers.

Social media users were quick to point out a lack of racial diversity on the show. Conversation centred on critique, splashed with humour and clear in intent. “Love Island Orania”, referencing the white Afrikaner-supremacist state, began trending on Sunday night.

While the show follows a format whereby new cast members will be added throughout, first impressions resulted in a controversial kickoff for the show, and not for the reasons M-Net would have hoped for. Talk of love and lust remains pale in comparison to cast representation and diversity lashings.

Production value was called into question by viewers. The first episode was layered with volume inconsistencies, silent credits and a clear lack of background music. Twitter was once again not without fast and brutal review.

Picture: Twitter

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