Here’s why Annie Mthembu won’t return for season 4 of The Real Housewives of Durban

The Real Housewives of Durban is making a comeback to the small screens this February. Returning for season four are Nonku Williams, Sorisha Naidoo, Jojo Robinson Maria Valaskatzis and Slindile Wendy Ndlovu. Joining the new cast are Ameigh Sibahle Thompson, Nqobile ‘Angel’ Ndlela, and Zamaswazi Ngcobo. But Annie Ludick-Mthembu, a businesswoman, mom and wife of Durban club owner Kgolo ‘Da Guru’ Mthembu has chosen to not be part of the new season.

Annie explains that although shooting the show came with lessons and fun times, she needed to exclude herself for her own mental wellness. “I had to sit this season out because I needed a mental health break,” she says. “Some time for reflection and also to focus on my businesses which have been growing in the background and this time around, they needed me to be more present to assist with their growth.

Annie previously opened up to ZiMoja about constantly being bullied, mocked and teased on social media for her unique fashion sense, her creative hairstyles and her misbehaving eye caused by Bell’s Palsy. “A lot of people suffer from Bell’s Palsy and there is no medication that can right your face nor any cure; some people never recover. It’s all about having to rebuild the muscles in your face and that can take years of physio,” she says. “I definitely am not immune to what people say about me online.

It used to trigger me quite badly, this is why I went out and sought therapy to assist me with coming to terms with my past hurt and to also have a better perspective on the backlash I get on social media.” Annie now adds that being on the show took away her shyness. “It took me from being this shy, introverted girl into being a woman who knows herself and what she stands for.” She says this growth would not have been possible without the trials and tribulations she experienced with some of the ladies on the show who challenged her.

Source: News365