AnneMarie Wiley, Nneka Ihim, Teddi Mellencamp, and Season 14 Marlo Hampton have all been accused of doing the most during their tenures on their respective shows. Joining this infamous list is broadcaster Minnie Ntuli, who, during her debut season on Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban, has been trending almost weekly, proving that she’s more of a foe than a friend of the show.
Minnie Ntuli: The Real Housewives of Durban’s Trending Topic
Despite stints on My Kitchen Rules South Africa and Idols, Ntuli had no plans to continue in reality TV. However, when the opportunity came to join one of the most popular platforms on Showmax, how could she say no?
“I saw it as a chance to step out of my comfort zone and be part of something bold, loud, and very Durban,” explains the GagasiFM presenter, “I also wanted to represent a different kind of woman, someone who’s still figuring things out, but doing so authentically and unapologetically.”
Coupled with the support of her close friends and family [My mom said, “Ungakhohlwa ukuthi ungubani”, which translates to ‘Never forget who you are’], Ntuli was ready to take on everything real housewives.
A Friend Of The Show
On reality TV shows, a ‘friend of the show’ is an individual who supports the main cast, moves storylines along, and even has a few spats with the actual cast members. We enjoy these roles because they keep the ladies on their toes and give us great moments – think Alicent Dubois, the morally corrupt Faye Resnick, or Marlo Hampton questioning Kandi Burruss about her sexuality. Admittedly, this role is not always easy, as some friends do a little too much, which shows viewers exactly why they were never initially picked to be main cast members.
Despite being cast only as a friend of the show and not as an actual main housewife, Ntuli still had her fears and reservations: “People will judge you for breathing wrong on camera,” she quips.
However, she knew if she went in with an open heart and stayed true to herself, she’d be okay. However, she was, admittedly, unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster that came with the show,
“Watching is entertainment. Living is unpredictable, emotional, and sometimes overwhelming. The cameras don’t stop rolling when you’re tired or triggered. It’s raw.”
A Foe Of The Show
A raw aspect documented is Ntuli’s spats with a fellow friend of the show, Precious Mbali Udoye, and former housewife turned friend of the show, Londie London. While Precious decided to leave the show due to the comments about her business, it doesn’t appear that Ms. London is going anywhere, and that’s given us some great and viral TV moments.
Ntuli admits there is no backstory to their apparently one-sided feud, which has left viewers engaged but thoroughly confused.
“What happened between us happened on the show, in real time, and, unfortunately, it spiralled. Emotions were high, egos were bruised, and communication broke down. I’ve since reflected and reached out privately to apologise. What viewers saw wasn’t the full picture, but my actions in those moments are on me.”
Despite rubbing some of the ladies, the wrong way, Ntuli shares that there are a few beautiful souls she connected with on and off camera, “There are some women I genuinely respect, and our relationships are real.”
The Real Side of Reality TV
Everyone has an opinion, and these days, they’re not afraid to share it, and this comes with added pressure, especially when you’re in the public eye. It’s not easy to deal with, as Ntuli admits that people will say hurtful things with zero context, and that it stings. However, she seems to have found ways to cope,
“I take breaks, protect my peace, and pray a lot. I’ve also learnt to remind myself that public opinion doesn’t define me. The people who know my heart matter the most,” she reveals, adding that some days are more complicated than others, but she’s learning not to take everything personally.
“I read what I need to grow and release what doesn’t serve me. I’ve had to remind myself daily that being flawsome means owning your mistakes, learning out loud, and giving yourself grace.”
While she wishes she had been portrayed differently, she’s not here to blame the people behind the camera, “I take responsibility for how I showed up. I’m a work in progress.”
Despite her seemingly hot-headed and defensive persona on camera, Ntuli wants people to know that there’s more to her: “I’m soft-hearted, loyal, and thoughtful. I happen to be fiery when pushed. I feel deeply, and sometimes that comes out messily. But I’m not fake. What you see is what you get.”
With public sentiment clear on where they stand with Ntuli on their screens, that doesn’t mean she’s not open to joining full-time.
“Never say never. If I did, it would have to be from a place of growth, not ego. I’d want to show up with more softness, maturity, and a stronger sense of self. I’ve learnt that being real doesn’t always mean being reactive, or responding to everything. Showing up with silence is a lesson I’d love to explore should I ever consider returning.”
Episodes of The Real Housewives of Durban Season 5 are available to stream on Showmax.
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