Real Housewives Beverly Steyn Clears Friendship Drama
Speaking to the Citizen, Beverly addresses her friendship with Nonku Williams and the' accusations' tossed around by Jojo Robinson.
Shocked and blindsided
Viewers were taken aback when Jojo Robinson suggested during The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) reunion that Beverly may have influenced Nonku's behaviour this season, contributing to the breakdown of their on-screen friendship.
But Beverly, who was never part of the Durban franchise, says the mention of her name came as a complete shock.
'I was shocked to hear and see what played out on the reunion of The Real Housewives of Durban,' Beverly says. 'I am heartbroken about the way I was portrayed, in a matter I had no involvement in.'
The businesswoman and Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa star was not featured on RHOD at all this season, but suddenly found herself in the crossfire.
ALSO READ: RHODurban star Angel Ndlela buys a new home [PICS]
'Nonku is a grown, intelligent woman'
Beverly firmly rejected any suggestion that she is 'in Nonku's ear,' calling the implication insulting to her friend.
'Furthermore, the notion that anyone is in Nonku's ear implies that she is influenced by other people and can't make decisions about HER life,' Beverly says pointedly. 'She is a grown, intelligent woman, and we are all adults.'
The Cape Town resident went on to express her sadness over being painted as a behind-the-scenes manipulator.
'I am quietly living my happy life in Cape Town and am not even part of the Durban show,' she adds. 'Yet, I feel unjustly accused of causing a rift in a friendship during a show I wasn't part of, which has been deeply hurtful to me.'
Jojo's block-and-delete move
Beverly also revealed that, following the filming of the reunion, Jojo Robinson blocked both her and Nonku on Instagram a move that left her reeling.
'Jojo blocked both Nonku and me on Instagram, leaving me confused and hurt,' Beverly says.
'From my understanding, we have completely different relationships with Nonku, and it is not entirely based on our shared faith, but life experiences as well. We help each other to navigate life and provide wisdom where necessary and, of course, to pray with each other about various things.'
'It's absurd to dictate her friendships'
As for claims that she had a hand in steering Nonku away from other cast members, Beverly dismissed them as 'absurd.'
'I have other friends outside of our relationship,' she said, 'and therefore it would be absurd to dictate who she can be friends with. I don't have any business giving my opinion about her other friendships.'
The Cape Town-based star reminded fans that her relationship with Nonku began on more neutral ground, during filming of Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa in Jamaica. 'I met Nonku on the Ultimate Girls Trip in Jamaica, and our friendship grew from there,' she explains.
Respect, growth, and compassion
More than anything, Beverly hopes the current drama doesn't overshadow Nonku's personal journey.
'Nonku has grown and matured as a person. She deserves respect, especially as no one truly knows what she has been dealing with in her private life,' she says with heartfelt sincerity.
And in true Beverly Steyn style, she ends on a note of grace.
'I hope we can all find a way to resolve this with understanding and compassion.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Nonku Williams finally breaks silence on Jojo Robinson fallout
Former Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) star Nonku Williams has opened up about her fallout with bestie Jojo Robinson. The businesswoman shared a lengthy, heartfelt statement on Instagram addressing the end of their once-close friendship. Nonku says she never intended to end her friendship with Jojo or make her feel unvalued or disrespected. She believes her words were misunderstood, taken out of context, and exaggerated to add unnecessary drama to the storyline. Their strong bond started in season two, growing so close that fans even gave them the nickname 'Joku.' They travelled together, had heart-to-hearts, and appeared inseparable, both on-screen and in their personal lives off camera. By season five, cracks in their friendship became visible, leading fans to question what had caused the sudden change. After Nonku reportedly said their friendship was only for television, Jojo decided to end things and blocked her immediately. 'I want to apologise for using the words 'surface level' when referring to my friendship with Jojo. In no way was I speaking about the love and bond we share; that was never my intention,' reads the statement. Nonku acknowledges she's learning to communicate more thoughtfully, as she's aware her bluntness can sometimes cause misunderstandings. She shared with Londie that her spiritual journey has led her to approach life with more privacy and purpose. 'I was trying to articulate how, as I've grown spiritually, there are certain parts of my life I now approach differently. It's not because I don't value Jojo or our friendship; in fact, it's quite the opposite.' She says Jojo is aware of it, and together they've been making an effort to adjust to the changes brought by her spiritual journey. She explains that when she said she couldn't share everything with Jo, it wasn't a matter of trust; it was simply because each friendship serves a different purpose. 'I meant that I have other friends I can call to pray with me at 3 am when I'm struggling. Not because I don't trust Jojo, but because each friendship has its own unique role and dynamic,' she says. Nonku says growing closer to God has made her want to keep some parts of her life more private. She hopes Jojo understands that not everything needs to be shared online or turned into content for Instagram and followers. She mentioned that she's planning to sit down with Jojo soon to talk things through face-to-face. 'I've reached out to her, and we're planning to meet soon. I want her and everyone to know that our friendship is still important to me, and I'm committed to nurturing it,' adds Williams. In closing, Nonku says her faith journey has never been about ending the friendship with Jojo. She says it's simply been about growth, self-discovery, and drawing closer to God in a personal way. She says she still loves Jojo and remains committed to their friendship. DO YOU THINK THEY WILL EVER MEND THEIR FRIENDSHIP? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Unlocked': Rugby star Eben Etzebeth launches first book
The book promises an intimate look into Etzebeth's life. Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has announced the release of his debut book, Unlocked. The book tells the story of Etzebeth's life, from growing up in Goodwood in the Western Cape to his rise in rugby. In a recent Instagram post, Etzebeth shared that the book will be available in October this year. 'Over the past few months, I've taken time to reflect on my journey — the highs, the lows, the lessons, the people, and the moments that have shaped me on and off the field,' he wrote. The book also explores Etzebeth's challenges, aspirations, and what it truly took to wear the green and gold jersey. He described the book as a tribute to those who have supported him throughout his career. 'Unlocked tells my story — from growing up in Goodwood to my aspirations, the challenges I've faced, and what it really took to wear the green and gold. Thank you to everyone who's supported me — this one is for you,' he added. ALSO READ: Six decades of Porsche at Kyalami celebrated with new book The book is available for pre-order While not yet on shelves, Etzebeth said the book is available for pre-order through Takealot, Exclusive Books, Wordsworth, Loot, Readers Warehouse, and other major South African retailers. 'It is also available internationally through Amazon UK, Waterstones, and other outlets.' NOW READ: 'End of an era': Shalate Sekhabi exits House of Zwide
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘I didn't switch lanes – I just widened the road' – Anele Mdoda on her new film
Mdoda says broadcasting taught her the power of connection, while film allows her to deepen that. Anele Mdoda says going into filmmaking was natural progression for her as a storyteller. Picture: zintathu/Instagram Broadcaster Anele Mdoda has seemingly transitioned seamlessly into filmmaking in recent times, with one of her films even earning an Oscar nomination. 'Broadcasting taught me the power of connection. Film allows me to deepen that – to sit in the grey areas, to explore emotion and history with time and texture,' Mdoda tells The Citizen. Mdoda says it's all communication after all. 'I'm just using different tools. I even use food to talk,' she shares. 'It's a natural progression for a storyteller. I didn't switch lanes — I just widened the road.' She spoke to this publication ahead of the South Africa debut of her second film, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, on Thursday. Based on the book of the same title written by Alexandra Fuller, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight is directed by celebrated South African-American actress Embeth Davidtz. The film is produced by Rose and Oaks Media, a company founded by Mdoda, Frankie Du Toit, and Paul Buys. Mdoda, Du Toit and Trevor Noah are the producers. ALSO READ: Anele Mdoda 'beaming with pride' after film impresses at Toronto International Film Festival Bringing in Trevor Noah The film made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada last September. At that time, Noah hadn't joined the film as a producer, which Mdoda described as 'the most natural alignment'. 'His passion for the story, the continent, and for telling nuanced African narratives to the world made him the perfect partner. He didn't just come in with a name – he came with intention,' said Mdoda about her friend. Mdoda said Noah understands both the global audience and the local heartbeat, and that having that dual lens is 'incredibly powerful'. The move to rope in Noah is similar to that she made with her Oscar-nominated film, The Last Ranger, when she brought Lebo M on board. 'It's about credibility, access and amplification,' she says explaining the decisions. 'When you're telling African stories, having global figures who understand the craft and the politics of storytelling helps break down doors that are often hard to open. Lebo M and Trevor are not just names – they're bridges,' said Mdoda. She added that they are currently working on a project where we will 'plead and beg' for Lebo M to do the score for them. ALSO READ: Anele Mdoda named Content Creator Awards host as she takes over international film festival [VIDEO] Aiming for Oscar glory Through The Last Ranger, Mdoda and her team made history by becoming the first Xhosa film to be nominated for an Oscar. Mdoda gave a resounding 'yes' when asked about whether she wants to enter Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight for Oscar consideration. 'The response at TIFF affirmed that this is a film with international resonance. In the perfect world, Embeth [Davidtz] gets nominated for best director, Lexi Venter for best actress, best screenplay adaptation and best film,' said Mdoda. In the film, Davidtz examines the collapse of colonialism through the eyes of eight-year-old Bobo as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) approaches its pivotal 1980 election, marking the end of white rule. Davidtz plays the character of Nicola Fuller, mother to young, perceptive Bobo (Lexi Venter). Nicola sleeps with a machine gun, ready to use it for 'terrorists' or snakes, whatever threatens her family. She's taught her daughter that any African could be a terrorist. 'I'm always drawn to stories that are honest, complex and rooted in truth. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight and The Last Ranger both explore identity in very different ways – but they're ultimately about belonging and, man oh man, the South African backdrop is the ultimate scene to shoot against,' shared the radio host. The film will have a limited cinema release, followed by a broadcast on M-Net and DStv. NOW READ: 'The Last Ranger' team enjoy the Oscars despite not winning award
