The Real Housewives of Durban
- Date of launch: 29 January 2021
- Number of seasons: 3
- Number of episodes: 28
- Genre: Reality television
- Language: English, Zulu, Tswana
- Country of origin: South Africa
- Produced by: Let It Rain Films
The Real Housewives of Durban (abbreviated RHODurban) is a South African reality television series that debuted on 29 January 2021 on Showmax. The show is the 24th international version of the American The Real Housewives franchise and the second version of the franchise set in South Africa. The Real Housewives of Durban follows the lives of several women living in Durban, South Africa, as they balance their personal and professional endeavours.
General information
The Real Housewives of Durban showcases the glamorous and drama-filled lives of seven affluent and influential women in Durban, one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant cities in South Africa. The show reveals their lavish lifestyles, their family dynamics, their business ventures, their friendships, and their feuds. The show also highlights the cultural diversity of Durban, as the cast members belong to different ethnic backgrounds, such as Indian, Zulu, Tswana, and Greek.
The show has received mixed reactions from critics and viewers, with some applauding its entertainment value and representation of diverse women and others condemning its lack of originality and authenticity. The show has also been nominated for several awards, such as the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Structured or Docu-reality Show in 2022 and the RapidLion Awards for Best Reality TV Show in 2022. The show has also sparked controversy for some of its cast members’ personal scandals, such as Nonkanyiso Conco’s relationship with former president Jacob Zuma and Londiwe Zulu’s alleged involvement in a fraud case.
The show is currently airing its third season, which premiered on 1 February 2023. The third season introduces three new cast members: Slindile Wendy Ndlovu, Mbaliyesizwe Ngiba, and Maria Valaskatzis. The third season also features guest appearances from former cast members Kgomotso Ndungane and Londiwe Zulu.
Cast
The following table lists the main cast members of The Real Housewives of Durban:
A former Miss India South Africa, a businesswoman, a radio DJ, and a mother of two.
A socialite who is a mother of three.
A businesswoman, a founder of Ashes to Beauty Winery, and a mother of three.
A former model, a businesswoman, a founder of JoJo’s Hair & Beauty Salon, and a mother of one.
- Slindile Wendy Ndlovu
A businesswoman, a founder of Wendy’s Events & Décor Company, and a mother of two
- Mbaliyesizwe Ngiba
A businesswoman, a founder of Mbaliyesizwe Group Holdings, and a mother of one.
- Maria Valaskatzis
A businesswoman, a founder of Maria Cosmetics SA, and a mother of two.
