Calls to cancel 'The Mommy Club' after reunion drama, claims of scene cuts

Fans of The Mommy Club are calling for the reality series to be cancelled after the airing of the first part of the Season 3 reunion, which sparked outrage over alleged scene omissions and lack of focus on the show's original premise of motherhood.

The criticism reached boiling point after reality star Kabelo Jantjies, known on the show as Mrs J, took to social media to express her disappointment with the show's production team.

She alleged that scenes featuring her children were cut from the show without explanation.

“Week in, week out, we all had hopes that the scene with my children would play, but it did not. No explanation, nothing. I really feel like my children were discriminated [against] from day one till the very last,” she wrote.

Mrs J’s frustration grew when she discovered her children had not been invited to the reunion shoot.

“I mean, not even an invite for the reunion,” she said.

Mrs J said this exclusion led to her withdrawing from filming the second part of the special, set to air on Saturday.

“As a mother, my number one role is to always and forever protect my kids, hence I couldn't finish the reunion. I was not going to sit there when my child was not invited without any solid reason or explanation,” she said.

“How do you explain to the child why they are not invited? But anyway, as unkind as it is, we move on. Hope you all enjoy part 2 of the reunion.”  

Her comments have ignited a broader discussion online, where viewers are voicing their own concerns over the show’s direction.

Many feel that The Mommy Club has strayed from its original focus on parenting, children and the lives of the moms beyond the drama.

On social media platform X user Lebogang Mogajane said the show has lost the plot. 

“I hear you, however Mommy Club lost the plot. They focused too much on the drama between the mommies. Season one was full of moments with the kids and even nannies, but this season? It was all about the moms,” said Mogajane.

Another user, Viola Tsipa, pointed to behind-the-scenes decisions that seem to undermine the show’s premise. 

“Recently watched a podcast where Ratile was a guest and she mentioned how there’s way more scenes with her kids shot but never made it to our screen. Just confirmed there and then that the name is just a front,” he said. 

The season 3 reunion, which began airing this past Friday, opened with apologies and tense exchanges among cast members, as the women attempted to confront one another over gossip and unresolved issues.

Before the reunion aired, Mrs J stated in an interview she planned to use the opportunity to clear the air.

“I would like to use the reunion as an opportunity to address what needs to be addressed fully. I couldn’t believe some of the comments made behind my back. As mothers, I hope we can iron out our differences and see if there’s a way forward,” she said. 

True to her word, Mrs J did not hold back. She confronted her co-stars, particularly Mrs Sande, for allegedly mocking her ancestral calling. But she was also challenged herself when fellow cast member Vuyi questioned her about controversial comments she had made about Pheladi, who did not attend the reunion.

As part 2 of the reunion approaches, fans appear more disillusioned than excited. Many are demanding accountability from the producers, citing the disconnect between the show’s branding and its content.