The Real Housewives of Durban Season 3 kicks off with a few surprises

What would the new year be without a brand-new season of the Real Housewives of Durban?

Luckily we don’t have to imagine that because Season 3 has launched on Showmax with a bang! While viewers were reunited with some of their favourite ladies, they also got introduced to new cast members. But even with new faces, The Real Housewives of Durban are serving the same top-tier entertainment we've come to expect.

To new friendships

One thing that surprised us this season is the beautiful relationship between Jojo and Nonku. Would you have ever thought that they’d one day get to a place where they’d actually love each other? We certainly didn’t see that coming. Jojo explained on the show: “Mine and Nonku’s friendship has been through the wringer. We’ve had many ups and downs. But currently, and I think for the long-term, we are extremely close. We’ve become great friends.”

Meanwhile, Nonku has described Jojo as one of her “closest” friends. Jojo isn’t the only person who Nonku is close with. Slindile, a new addition to The Real Housewives of Durban, is also near and dear to her. Nonku had a catch-up with Slindile at her home and they spoke about everything under the sun, including Nonku’s celibacy.

Heartbreak and pain

The conversation then moved to Slindile's breakup. The new housewife, who has two daughters, revealed that her relationship with her ex-partner ended after six years. “When the breakup came, it was a shock for me. And then three months later he was married to someone else, which then in hindsight tells me that it was all a plot,” she said. Slindile shared that although she has good and bad days, she wouldn’t want her ex to be in her life again.

While Slindile has gone through heartbreak, Mbali – another new addition – is on cloud nine. The actress and musician is in a happy and healthy relationship and will be walking down the aisle soon. Speaking about her man, she said: “He is someone that I can go to battle with. I can be myself when I am around him.” Mbali believes in being around genuine people. “I am not a fan of people who look down on other people… I can’t stand nonsensical behaviour; I will address it immediately.”

Mbali also seems like the kind of person who’s warm and open to forming new bonds. She got to experience the rest of the ladies at Jojo’s princess-themed event and got to connect with them on a deeper level. When asked about children, Mbali shared that she has lost a child.

“Losing a child isn’t easy. It doesn’t matter who you are. So, yeah. Obviously, when I talk about my child, those moments will come,” an emotional Mbali said.

Maria had deep empathy for Mbali after hearing her story. “I can’t imagine as a mom, losing a child. It is probably the worst thing that could ever happen to a human being,” she said. The businesswoman and psychology student, who is married to a surgeon, is a mother to a 14-year-old boy. She refers to him as the apple of her eye.

If there’s anything to take away from the first episode it’s that the ladies are able to go deep when they need to. It’s not always about drama and gossip, there are many layers to be seen and experienced. We can’t wait to see what this new season has in store.

All the episodes of The Real Housewives of Durban are streaming on Showmax.

More addictive reality series to stream online »