THE REVIEW OF REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DURBAN, SEASON 3
Let’s talk all things Real Housewives of Durban.
This is probably one of the South African productions that makes us proud as people of media and in fact; everyday South African. In the world of reality show — perhaps in SA — the last time, we had such consistency in production was back in the Dineo Diary era. Shout out to Dineo Ranaka for leading the journey.
The success of this show (RHOD) compared to the other cities has been that they have ensured a solid storyline for every season. In all things television, the storyline is so important — especially when you are showcasing your life.
We have seen the errors of other reality shows that a pretty face or well-known name doesn’t always cut it.
Let’s review the previous season's storylines.
Season 1 — The storyline was around Ayanda Ncwane and Nonku Williams relationship affairs bringing the late Gospel singer Sifiso Ncwane's affairs to light.
This drove the season with emotions and also brought fans and the ladies together.
Americans adored this storyline on BRAVO.
Season 2 — With the introduction of the beloved Laconco and her famous statement ‘GOOGLE ME’ — this shifted the scene for the show — the statement carried deep arrogance and confidence — which left viewers asking Which one is this one?
Now, it is not unusual for someone to be on a reality show and start out as a hot topic or one of the main characters to then be just a cast member — we see this in series, telenovelas, etc.
This wasn’t the case for Laconco as her story of being married to Former President Jacob Zuma is a golden one, especially for a reality show.
Of course, we had Thobile — whose moment and unique storyline were short-lived.
What was the biggest storyline of Season 3 of the Real Housewives of Durban?
I believe the biggest storyline or individual that caught my eye in this season was Sorisha.
In the previous seasons, she is just a subtle rich Queen but in this season, she blossomed and took her throne.
Now, did this shake tables? yes.
There was a moment in the season — when Nonku said to Sorisha in front of everyone, ‘Sorisha, I did not expect this from you?’
This moment for me was worth noting because Nonku had high assumptions of Sorisha and loved Sorisha, the quiet queen of Peace, then when Sorisha was blossoming — it became a sin.
In this season, Sorisha was no longer shying away from showing us her rich lifestyle and being a Real housewife. I loved this for her as the notion of hiding your true self and it being called ‘Humble’ is absurd.
There were many surprising moments of Sorisha's journey this season — one of them was how spiritually inclined she was, I remember the pool moment with Nonku — how she quoted words of Jesus to Nonku.
‘Father, forgive them — they know not what they are doing — being a Christian — these words are special to the faith and it is not the fact that Sorisha said them but the sacredness she carried.
Yet also, we do see Sorisha, reaching out to the ladies through the season and I highlight this because of the following. During the last episode of the show, at the picnic — Sorisha says ‘She has cut the cord and she was done with the other ladies.
In the last scene at the dinner, we see this in action as she was quiet throughout the dinner and enjoying her food.
Before, you all claim that Sorisha paid me for this review, let’s move on.
In all three seasons — Nonku seems to be losing the plot — From baby Mama in Season 1, to Season 2 dealing with Alcohol and launching her wine brand to Season 3 — showing us Rough Diamond.
Now, note how I have not mentioned the famous and consistent act of bringing people to the group only to turn them into nothing.
What she now calls ‘The Mabusi vibes’
Most of her memorable moments aren’t her launching new business ventures but the drama and chaos she is always in.
We will return to Nonku.
In season 2 — We met JOJO
We could say that we met Jojo personality 1 because the Jojo, we encounter in season 3 is completely different from the previous.
She is one classist individual, very manipulative and strategic too. She played Nonku like a pro. Nonku doesn’t see it.
I asked on Twitter — if people thought this friendship was real and here are close to 200 people's thoughts.
Let’s talk about the newbies of the RHODurban
Mbali — She is such a heart-filled person, lol is that even a word?
Yet, if we are going, to be honest — Mbali didn’t seem to want to do the show. The ladies were too much for her. She was shocked most of the time.
I think she would have loved the season with the following people more — Ayanda Ncwane, Laconco, Mabusi and maybe Thobile too.
The Zwide Queen doesn’t like Drama.
Maria came on the show as someone who looked like would have lots of beef with Sorisha. Yet, her beef storyline was with Nonku.
She labeled Nonku as a weed. Yet, I think the weed was sitting next to her at the reunion.
I think she should return cause she was always in the middle and a peacemaker in the storm.
Newbie — Ruan
Can we blame Maria for this addition?
I am not sure what the production thought when adding him because I haven’t seen such a waste of addition. Ruan had no literal storyline or contribution.
It could be that the production wanted to add the community to the mix like how they did in season 1.
OH, MY WORD! THE QUEEN OF TOXIC
Sane — Now, there are many reasons to hate this lady — she is my least favourite too in fact — I have never encountered such a vile person before oh wait I LIED — if Twitter was a person, Sane is the person.
Though, I think she needs to stay because she was very good at contributing to the season. We are very aware she isn’t a Real Housewives but she is an interesting friend of the housewives or rather WAS.
Initially, before the reunion — I thought you know what I think there is more to her but after the show. She seems like a paid addition to be wicked.
A newbie that has a place in my heart is Slee!
I think what grew in my heart about her is how grounded she is and well put together she is. I think she has solidified her place on the show. I think in the next season, we could see her serve us more of her business ventures than how Nonku has ever tried.
A highlight in her addition is the beautiful bond she formed with Sorisha.
The reunion for me — had pre-assumed expectations for instance that Sorisha would bury Nonku alive, especially after what happened in the last scene of the last episode.
Let’s go in deep! Part 1 of the reunion.
It was framed around Maria. I felt this for her. We live in a world where long-standing friendships are so rare to find. It’s like marriages, growing up, we hear older folks speak of being married for 20 years + but nowadays — it does not even pass 10 years.
Maria vulnerably speaks of her friendship with Ruan of close to a decade, 7 years to be precise. Now, this for me was touching and triggering as in 2021, I personally lost all my friends of 7+.
We are aware that Ruan rather chose an alliance/ 2 minutes noodles friendship to do Tiktoks as Maria says. This is painful — especially in the setup it happened in.
It’s one thing to lose a friend cause they stabbed your back and abandoned you. It’s another to have a front-row seat, watch and experience your friend betraying you. I mean, we all know that Maria ain’t Jesus so can you imagine how much difficult it was for her?
There was a part in that whole chat of Ruan and Maria, where footage of the casting was played — We see Ruan literally sell himself to the ladies. I could imagine how Maria was pained by that.
The most embarrassing thing about Ruan at that moment was he couldn’t even explain why he chose Jojo. He said he chose FUN. Dude, fun over a solid friendship. How old is Ruan 5 years old?
The narrative that certain community guys love to be the purse of classist women yet again prevails and we saw it LIVE on television.
The advice that Sorisha gave Ruan was priceless and one for the books. I hope Ruan listened and took it in deeply. I say this because such advice only comes once in a lifetime. Also, people who tell us such truths are so rare in this world we live in. My Respect for Sorisha grew massively after this.
Jojo on the other hand was consistent in just being a messy girl — she was gloating throughout Maria's hard moments.
When Maria said ‘she was hurt’ I felt that honestly.
In the part 1 reunion — I didn’t have comments on Mablerh. This was because I wanted to see the overall reunion. Therefore, I can’t start the reunion Part 2 without speaking about his excellent hosting skills. I think in the history of reunions or such set up in South African television — we haven’t had anyone manage to perfectly host in such a way that viewers are left satisfied and pleased by the host.
The biggest highlights of Reunion Part 2 — Throughout the season, Many cried their thoughts at Sorisha becoming the mean girl — though Sorisha not revealing the receipts about Nonku’s owing sagas lol. This proved to others that she is not a vile Queen.
Of course, we have Jojo — Jojo was famously known for two things this season. One is walking out during the heat and two — call Calvin to save her. Yet, shout out to her for finishing the reunion without walking out.
Nonku has a pattern to hurt those around her — think Mabusi then think Slee. What she did to Slee can never be undone overnight. Yes, she may have apologized FACTS but there are scars that need time to heal.
What I mean about healing is? Truly forgiving and moving on. Slee is a very spiritual person and I think her healing journey has different stages.
Also, forgiving does not mean reconciling and being friends again!
I asked Twitter — whether they should be friends — results.
The biggest shocker/highlight was the clickbait that was SANE!
While I agree that she is not in the same level of class as the ladies and she herself is a beacon of toxicity.
I believe she should return to redeem herself but I doubt she has that ability.
Twitter said no to the return.
A missed opportunity in part 2 — It was definitely from RUAN side
In part 2 — we see the group take a new leap and begin to apologize to each other for different things. Yet, he is just there nodding like dude — OPEN YOUR MOUTH!
Losing Maria is not worth it!
I will be doing more reviews on some of the reality shows I enjoy and some series as I have in my writing space for columns etc. Catch a review on #RHOAbuja X #RHONairobi coming soon.
Join us — this Wednesday on our podcast and youtube channel for the launch of a new show — BEHIND THE ACT as we have guests unpacking all things Young, Famous and African
https://linktr.ee/Unpackthefacts — For info.