Whether you’ve nicknamed her South Africa’s Toni Braxton or Meagan Wood, Slindile ‘Slee’ Wendy Ndlovu has undoubtedly made a mark.
Since featuring on the third season of Real Housewives of Durban alongside new castmates Maria Valaskatzis, Mbali Ngiba and Sane Bhengu, fans of the entrepreneur and the show alike have taken to social media, debating discourse on the explosive drama that engulfed Slee in the show.
Initially joining the season as a neighbour and friend of original cast member Nonku Williams, Slee’s journey throughout the season was one of ups and downs that saw her reeling from the drama and feeling the need to explain herself.
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Describing her experience on the show as positive but not without its downfalls, we caught up with the mother of two to find out more about hardships she faced over the course of the season.
“It was a matter of like, not understanding that for some people this is not reality. For some people it’s a façade, some people are putting up a front. For me, this was personal, for me this was a starting point.
“It was important for me to portray myself as who Slee is in reality because I understand how that is important and also what it means for my children to see how that translates in real life. Now, when that did not happen, I spent most of my season defending my character. It sort of took something away from me and hence as a result if somebody were to ask me if I’m coming back for season four, I’m definitely coming back because I need a do-over.”
One of the biggest hurdles she had had to face since the airing of the season was the public’s intense scrutiny of her parenting.
After detailing her relationship with former partner businessman Sandile Zungu while her daughters lived with their father, viewers didn’t hold back when it came to voicing their opinions.
When talking about the criticisms, Slee reveals that the diary sessions only showed a fraction of the discussion because producers ask questions for each castmate to share their thoughts and emotions on specific plot points in each episode.
“My parenting – there’s nothing wrong with my parenting. First of all, I was a married woman when I had my daughters with my ex-husband before I met my recent ex, right. So, I want people to understand, I was a married woman, and I did not leave my kids alone or on the streets somewhere. My kids were with their father, I chose my children’s happiness and their wellbeing over my selfish reasons because I was divorcing with my husband.
“They were dealing with enough at that time and I felt that I shouldn’t uproot them from their bond. So, they love their dad, you know that thing about girls and their father. So, I couldn’t bring myself to do that to my kids. And also, when I say I wasn’t there, I basically mean I wasn’t there every day; like every mother would take their kid to school, attend games, attend recitals. So, I’m okay with that. So, [to] those people that are saying whatever: each to his own, and that’s that.”
With all the drama and differing opinions on her, the reality TV star remains candid about how she feels no need to correct or prove herself to anyone since those closest to her know the real Slee, especially when it comes to new-found friendships.
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Quite the polarising trio, Slee lets us in on her, Sorisha and Annie’s friendship and how much it’s grown since the beginning of the season.
“So, I know that I’ve just met Sorisha and Annie and I know that on the show you saw that Annie was a bit skeptical because you know how Annie is. She’s got walls around her because I understand that she’s been burnt quite a number of times and I was okay with that. But now that she’s opened up to me, I feel like she’s such an amazing person.
“Sorisha, I love her to bits. From the moment she saw me, she had my back. I didn’t even know this woman, she [had] my back. It was a matter of energies connecting, so I connect more with people on an energy level because I’m a spiritual child. So, if your energy links with mine that tells me that you’re good for me, so I’ve got Sorisha’s back I’ve got Annie’s back through and through.”
From enjoying homemade curries at Sorisha’s every other day to supporting each other’s businesses, this is one friendship with the potential to grow from strength to strength.
But Slee is more than just a budding reality TV star. The 41-year-old has business and philanthropic ventures that she’s pouring herself into.
“So, Slee is getting into an energy space. I’m working on a petroleum deal, so I’ve recently just received my petroleum licence. And my interior design company is slowly picking up. Also because of how the rand has been and the interest rates and all of that, people are not buying homes. So, when it comes to the interior design space, not a lot of people are wanting to sort of revamp and do things like that because not a lot of people are buying new homes. But you know what, God has been amazing.
“So, I have my fingers in other little pots because you can’t have one source of income, especially in this economy that we live in in South Africa … and I am working on my foundation called MpiloBontu Foundation where I’m giving back to the community, that is the closest thing to my heart. I’m a giver so that excites me.”
