'I’m choosing to break free from this cycle': Nonku Williams quits 'The Real Housewives of Durban'

As viewers of The Real Housewives of Durban eagerly await the last few episodes and the upcoming reunion, the longest standing contestant Nonku Williams dropped a bombshell on her timeline announcing her decision to leave the show. 

In a lengthy Instagram post, Nonku said she would not attend the upcoming reunion, citing a toxic environment and its negative effect on her mental health. 

“As I take a moment to reflect on my journey with The Real Housewives of Durban, I’m compelled to share my truth with you. After much reflection, I’ve made the decision not to return to the show and to distance myself from the reunion. It’s not an easy choice, but it’s one I must make,” she said.

“Watching myself on screen, I’m confronted with a reality that’s hard to accept. The woman I see isn’t someone I recognise or respect. I’ve played a role in shaping this narrative but I’m also a product of the show’s dynamics. The relentless pursuit of drama, the pitting of women against each other, the gossip and the put-downs — it’s a toxic cycle that wears me down.

“As I look to the future, I’m reminded of my responsibilities — to myself, my children, my faith and the community. I want to make a difference, to leave a positive mark on the world. This show, with its destructive tendencies, isn’t the platform for that.

“I’ve come to realise I have a responsibility to myself to prioritise my wellbeing, to protect my mental health and to surround myself with positivity. I have a responsibility to my children to be a good role model, to show them the importance of kindness, empathy and compassion. I have a responsibility to my faith to uphold the values that are important to me, to be a light in the darkness and to spread love and kindness. I have a responsibility to the community to be a force for good, to uplift and inspire others and to make a positive impact.”

Nonku, who has been a reality TV star for nearly five years and has also featured in a spin-off show called The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip — South Africa, thanked her fans for their support.

“I’m choosing to break free from this cycle, to seek a path that uplifts and inspires. I’m choosing to use my platform to spread love, kindness and positivity. I’m choosing to be a role model for my children and for others who may be watching. I’m choosing to prioritise my wellbeing and to take care of myself. I’m choosing to be authentic, to be true to myself and to live a life that reflects my values.

“As I close this chapter, I hope my story can serve as testament to the power of self-awareness, courage and redemption.”