Happy “Her Majesty” Simelane, the radiant force behind the third season of The Mommy Club on Showmax, has addressed her ongoing relationship with fellow cast member Ratile Mabitsela, following a fallout that led to the dissolution of their friendship. Despite the tension between them during the show, Simelane reassures her fans that there is no ill will from her side.
In an exclusive interview with Sowetan LIVE, Simelane expressed her genuine wish to help Mabitsela succeed in the entertainment space, despite their differences. “I love helping people. I’m not a gatekeeper, I have a big heart. That’s why sometimes I wish I had a strong relationship with Ratile. I wanted to help her grow in this space. I’ve been shooting reality TV way longer and I aimed to show her the ropes – it’s unfortunate that we fell off,” Simelane shared.
Their fallout was made public after a dramatic incident on the reality show where Simelane felt mocked by Mabitsela following the death of her estranged husband, businessman Lehlogonolo. Despite the painful events, Simelane made it clear that she holds no hatred toward her former friend. “As much as Ratile chose the wrong side and made a mockery of me on national TV when my husband passed away, I still didn’t hate her. Today, she’s going through the same thing and I know and feel her pain,” Simelane remarked.
In a poignant moment of reconciliation, Simelane revealed that she had extended her condolences to Mabitsela during a radio interview earlier in the week, showing her empathy for what Mabitsela is now enduring. “I have sent her condolences live during an interview I did on the radio earlier in the week and I hope she finds comfort during this time,” Simelane said, emphasizing that her compassion remains intact, even in the face of past grievances.
The latest season of The Mommy Club continues to be a success, largely due to Simelane’s warmth and wisdom. She spoke with joy about the spirit of sisterhood that permeates the new cast. “Meeting the new cast of women was so refreshing and it’s beautiful to see friendships being formed – [the most important thing] for me was to help these new mommies in the reality TV space,” she said. Drawing from her own experiences, Simelane revealed how she strives to guide the new moms through their journey. “I made a lot of mistakes when I first started, so I’d like to help them avoid such errors. I give them support and pointers here and there and tell them how to go about something. I’m that friend I wish I had when I got into this industry.”
Simelane’s public life hasn’t been without its controversies. Last year, a viral video surfaced showing her dancing with a man at a nightclub while her daughter, Tiisetso, was also seen in the clip. The video sparked heated discussions on social media. Simelane clarified that the video was filmed as part of a music video for Makhadzi’s song Mapara. Despite the backlash, Simelane maintained that she is committed to being the best mother she can be. “I believe I’m doing the best that I can in being a great mother for my kids. When we shot the show last year, my relationship with my daughter Tiisetso was rocky. We are good now,” she reflected.
Simelane, a mother of three, is known for being a strict and protective parent, prioritizing her children’s well-being above all else. “People will always judge you in how you raise your kids but I know I’m raising strong-willed girls. I am strict, I even put my two eldest daughters in boarding school because of my demanding work schedule, I knew I wasn’t going to be home as much as possible so that structure would help them,” she explained. With a clear vision for their future, Simelane hopes her children will excel in life, whether they follow conventional educational paths or pursue their passions. “I want them to excel. I want them to be independent young ladies and if any of them wants to be in the entertainment industry, I won’t force them to go to school and get a degree if that’s not what they want to do. I want them to follow their passion, who knows, maybe I’m raising an Uncle Waffles. Tiisetso is already learning how to DJ and will start gigging.”
