
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

TimesLIVE
9 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
AI-generated influencers are here and they look real — are we falling for it?
She's got icy blue eyes, flawless skin and a fashion feed that would make any influencer jealous. But Mia Zelu, the Instagram star who recently 'attended' Wimbledon, isn't real. She's an AI-generated character with 169,000 followers and counting. Zelu sent social media into a spin after she shared courtside snaps at Wimbledon asking fans: 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' The post racked up more than 16,000 likes and 500 comments with many swooning over her 'natural beauty'. The catch? Mia Zelu is 100% artificial, designed to look human, act relatable, and rack up influence. The virtual influencer was introduced to the world in March 2025 by her 'sister' Ana Zelu, another AI-generated persona who has been active since early 2024. Ana captioned their first joint photo: '[Mia] finally decided to open up her Instagram, so show her some love!' Mia's debut solo post followed a day later with a cosy picture of her in a hoodie with a kitten on her lap and the caption: 'I believe coffee tastes better in cute cafés, and I live for cosy hoodies and deep conversations.'


The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
I AM ME Summit calls South Africa to embrace true inclusion
The Marriot Hotel in Melrose Arch became a sanctuary of transformation as the I AM ME Summit unfolded on July 29 and 30. Organised by Modern Centric, the two-day gathering wasn't just an event; it was a deliberate, soul-stirring call for South Africa to reimagine what real inclusion looks and feels like. With a theme rooted in disruption and dignity, the summit brought together young voices, thought leaders, and changemakers, all committed to building a society where authenticity is not only welcomed, but sacred. It was a space that asked hard questions, honoured vulnerability, and created room for every identity, especially those long pushed to the margins. Also read: Reinstatement coming for corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Corlett Drive From mental health to global LGBTQI+ rights, intersectional justice to community healing, the summit tackled the layered realities of inequality. It didn't shy away from pain or past failures, but instead, used them as fuel to imagine a better, braver future. In a world often quick to judge or silence, I AM ME was a reminder that real change begins when we choose to listen, to care, and to show up, not just as allies, but as co-conspirators in the fight for justice. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!

IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Simone Biles soaks up the sun: stunning vacation moments from the British Virgin Islands
American athlete Simone Biles says "no crying on the yacht" as she enjoys a luxurious escape in the British Virgin Islands. Image: Instagram Olympic legend Simone Biles is taking a well-deserved break after shining at the 2025 ESPY Awards. The 28-year-old gymnast has been enjoying the blue waters of the British Virgin Islands, sharing stunning snaps from her adventures. In a recent Instagram post, Biles showed off her relaxed side with a series of yacht-side pictures, captioning it with a sassy, 'God forbid a girl uses her passport'. The 11-time Olympic medal winner has been enjoying some quality time with friends on a girls' trip on a private yacht, posing in cheeky bikinis, which she styled with a Miu Miu bucket hat. While soaking up the sun on the gorgeous beaches of Virgin Gorda, she showcased her trendy polka dot almond nails that matched her polka dot swimsuit. The gymnast has been enjoying her well-deserved vacations during the European summer. Earlier in July, Biles was spotted enjoying the relaxing scenery of San Pedro, Belize, where she soaked up the sun and had a blast with her NFL star husband, Jonathan Owens. She shared fun pictures from the destination, giving fans yet another glimpse into her laid-back getaway as she relaxed with a drink on a daybed, rocking a brown and black Fendi monogram bikini set. Additionally, after tying the knot in April 2023, the couple celebrated their honeymoon in South Africa in February, exploring the wildlife at Jabulani Safari in the Kapama Private Game Reserve. They shared sweet moments from their adventure and the beauty of their travels.