12-05-2025
Pheladi Madungandaba pulls a no-show for The Mommy Club reunion
Pheladi Madungandaba did not show up to account for her part in The Mommy Club.
Sources revealed that everyone was shocked when the reality TV personality did not show up.
Madungandaba was new in the show, and she was named a bully by viewers.
While many are itching to see how the newest member of The Mommy Club, Pheladi Madungandaba, will defend herself during the season 3 reunion, they will be disappointed because the mother of two will not be a part of it.
Insiders have revealed that the Pretoria mother decided not to show up because she allegedly wanted nothing to do with the show, and she was afraid of public scrutiny.
Madungandaba was named the bully by viewers because of her treatment and constant fights with a fellow cast member, property business owner Nokwethemba 'Noksie' Khumalo, who was also new this season.
Though she was not the only one who was accused of bullying Khumalo, she was the one who received the most backlash from episode 2 until the last episode of the show.
The reunion has already been filmed. While everyone showed up to answer for their actions and diary comments, the poultry farmer, who is new to showbiz, was said to have surprised everyone with a no-show.
An insider said everyone, including production, was taken aback when she did not show up.
The source said Madungandaba was portrayed as a bully in the show, but she also did not wish to redeem herself during the reunion.
A source said,
'I think some cast members knew that she was not coming, while some of us thought she was coming. Everyone was there a day before the reunion shoot, so we thought she would come on the day of the shoot.'
Added the insider:
'People were looking forward to seeing her at the reunion and hear what she had to say for herself. Maybe she just thought that comments about her were bad during the show. I think she was too hurt [to show up]. When people show you so much hate, you are like, 'what's the point? It is what it is.'
Another mole told City Press that Madungandaba was angered by episode 9 of the show that was titled Mogwanti Wa'Pitori (Pretoria sl*t) and her picture was used as a thumbnail. In the episode, Madungandaba had a disagreement with another new cast member, Kabelo Jantjies.
Jantjies, who is married, addressed Madungandaba, who is a divorcee, saying she did not like that she was dating a married man. Jantjies proceeded to call Madungandaba Mogwanti Wa'Pitori, saying it served her right that her ex-husband took their children away from her.
That visibly crushed Madungandaba. Although Mrs J apologised in the show, however, Madungandaba didn't seem to accept her apology because she felt like it wasn't sincere, especially because she mentioned her children.
However, some viewers said she had received the taste of her own medicine.
A source said the cast member who pulled a no-show might not even return in the next season or take part in any reality show in the future.
Said the source:
'It is unfortunate because she is beautiful, and [some] people love her. She is loveable, and she is TV material, unlike some cast members. She was supposed to go to the reunion and defend herself.
A source said as Madungandaba was not there to answer for herself, some cast members were asked questions which were meant to be answered by her.
BULLYING AND HARMFUL ALLEGATIONS
The source shared that the reunion was filled with tears, with some people keeping to themselves.
City Press reported in March that the cast members had a meeting with production and the channel, with some mommies, Madungandaba included, complaining about how they were portrayed in the show.
In the meeting, it was allegedly insinuated that Madungandaba was made the villain of the season.
An email sent to The Mommy Club production and Showmax at the time stated that the narrative pushed in season 3 was harmful, questioning if bullying was promoted for ratings. In the email and the meeting, Madungandaba said she not only gave the show the bad side of her, but she also gave her authentic self.
The email stated that Madungandaba regretted being part of the show.
Read the email about the show:
'It encourages stagnancy, poor mental health and no form of confidence in telling our journeys as mothers.'
Replying to the claims about the show at the time, POP24 said the cast members were reminded by the director of what they did and said during filming and asked them to further unpack those moments. POP24 said the cast members were briefed and supported throughout.
READ: The Mommy Club's Mrs J 'not proud' of 'sl*t from Pretoria' remarks in latest episode
'No one is pressured to unpack; if a cast member says, 'I don't want to answer that,' their answer is used as such on the show.'
The email also advocated for Jabu Sande that she was not boring as she was viewed by the viewers, but editing omitted some parts about the mommies.
Speaking to City Press at the time, a mole said Madungandaba had shared her personal journey of being a divorced mother, hoping that some mothers in the same situation would resonate, and hopefully the show would open doors for her. However, that was not shown.
Viewers expressed that no matter how the show was edited, the words still came out of their mouths.
Madungandaba was approached for a comment; however, she declined.
THE GREAT UNION
The two-part reunion will be aired on Showmax on 17 and 24 May. Media personality Ntombi Ngcobo-Mzolo, who also hosted the season 2 reunion, said she would be objective.
'Just like last time, I'll be completely unbiased. I'm here to represent the viewers and ensure they get the clarity they deserve on everything that's happened this season. As the reunion host, my goal is to create a space where the mommies can speak freely and work through their issues,' she said.
Ngcobo-Mzolo said all the viewers' burning questions would be answered and nothing would be left unsaid.
