After the kumbaya moment at the start of “The Real Housewives of Durban” season four, I’ve become sceptical of hatchets being buried in the reality show.
Yes, it makes for entertaining drama, but fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
That’s my stance, and I ain’t budging.
This is my favourite show from the "Real Housewives" franchise. It's pure escapism - glitzy, glamorous, and full of unfiltered drama.
Now, let’s dive into the first episode of season five, which saw the OGs Sorisha Naidoo and Nonku Williams return alongside season two’s Jojo Robinson and season four’s Angel Ndlela.
Yep, that means that the financially stretched Slindile Wendy Ndlovu and instigator extraordinaire Maria Valaskatzis have been dropped from the cast.
However, I doubt either of them will be missed.
That said, there are three new faces - Ayanda Mthembu, Kwanele Kubheka and Lo Sithole - being welcomed into the fold.
Tea was spilt, and forgiveness was sought in the kickoff episode.
Fans will remember that Sorisha walked out of the reunion episode last season despite Neil Ramautar’s apology, much to the surprise of Maria.
It has now come to light that it wasn’t a magnanimous move on his part. No, not at all.
It turns out that before the episode was shot, business tycoon Vivian Reddy joined a group of them at the table for breakfast and made it very clear that he had set aside R10 million to take legal action against anyone who dragged his wife’s name through the mud.
He added that he would drop the lawsuit if the individual that wronged Sorisha would apologise. In doing so, he put the fear of god into everyone.
Even Nonku later admitted that she couldn’t afford to be taken to court.
Meanwhile, Jojo, encouraged by her hubby Calven, reached out to Sorisha to make amends. She also invited her to her wedding vow renewal ceremony.
Nonku was feeling some type of way about her bestie's decision, but she didn’t say much other than she wasn’t sure why Sorisha had blocked her and cut off all contact.
The “baby” in the group - Angel - appeared much more relaxed this time around. After fertility concerns last season, her relationship went pear-shaped.
She’s single and looking fabulous.
Jojo is also calmer this season, but I don’t want to speak too soon. Her rage can go from zero to 100 in seconds.
Overall, it was a sweet start to the season. I’m not holding my breath for it to remain, as I know it’s the calm before the storm.
It will be interesting to see how the other personalities fit into the dynamics of the show and if Jojo and Nonku’s strong bond will stand the test of time.
If the teaser for the forthcoming episode is anything to go by, fan favourites will be making cameo appearances as well.
Here’s a quick introduction to the new faces:
Ayanda Mthembu
A thirty-five-year-old optometrist with two successful practices, she is also a wife and mother of two.
On what she’s bringing to the table, she said: "This season brings a lot of heart and realness. I feel like the team has done an exceptional job of bringing together women from all walks of life, ensuring that every viewer can find someone to resonate with."
Kwanele Kubheka
No stranger to the spotlight, this thirty-one-year-old mother of four is an entrepreneur and social media influencer.
Having been in headlines over her traditional marriage, she’s developed a thick skin.
As such, being on the show doesn’t faze her.
She said: "People often think they know me based on what they see on social media, but there’s so much more to my life. I’m not here to prove anything to anyone - I’m simply being myself. If that helps clear up any misconceptions, then great.
“At the end of the day, this is my real life, not just a curated social media version. I’m a housewife and an aspiring businesswoman, and I’m ready for people to see the full picture."
Lo Sithole
As a pastor’s wife, Sithole, 40, has strong traditional values. She also co-owns and runs an artisan training school.
Guided by her faith, she joins her businessman husband, who runs a plant hire business, in leading Discovery Church. She’s also a mother of two.
She shared: "I wanted to have a life-changing experience and give the audience a real glimpse into the life of a pastor's wife. My goal is to inspire young women in Christianity by showing them that faith and enjoyment can go hand in hand.
“Life doesn’t stop because of my role in the church. I want people to see that you can be focused and determined and still live life to the fullest.
∎ “The Real Housewives of Durban” season 5 is streaming on Showmax, with new episodes dropping on Friday.
Rating: 4/5 - a standout series with exceptional qualities.