Nonku Williams, the 44-year-old businesswoman and mother of three, has become a familiar face on Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD). In an interview with TRUELOVE, she opens up about her journey on reality TV, her personal growth, love, single motherhood, and her evolving career.
Looking back at her time on RHOD, Nonku reflects on how much she’s changed. “I have grown a lot; I don’t want to react to situations like I did,” she shares. “I’m more mindful of what I say. I try to think before I speak. It’s the will of God that I want to follow, and I’ve learned that this platform is bigger than me. I’ve been given this opportunity to make a difference.”
For Nonku, reality TV is more than just fame. “It’s about making mistakes, learning from them, and being impactful. I’m slowly getting there because I’m in my glow-up era,” she says with a smile.
The exposure from RHOD has opened several doors for Nonku. “A lot of brands have faith in me,” she says proudly. As an ambassador for Samsung, and a partner of renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Kajal Lutchminarian, Nonku is using her platform to inspire women. “It’s important to look your best, and you can always do something about it,” she adds.
Nonku is also making waves with her wine brand, Ashes to Beauty, which is “flying” off the shelves. And with 2025 just around the corner, she hints at even more exciting ventures. “2025 is my year of opportunities and blessings,” she says.
Despite the emotional toll the show sometimes takes, Nonku continues to return each season. “At the end of each season, I would say I’m not coming back,” she admits. “But then God says, ‘It’s bigger than you; you have a story to tell. You go through these things for a reason, not for you, but to glorify my name.’”
Her commitment to the show is about sharing her faith and journey with others. “I do it to glorify God, to expand the good news that is my faith, and to add hope to other women out there who are going through the same things I went through.”
As a single mother of three, Nonku faces unique challenges, especially as her teenage daughter, Nothile, begins to pursue a career in music, like her father. “Being a parent is no child’s play,” she laughs. “Raising boys is difficult because I’m a woman, and I don’t know anything about raising a boy to be a man.”
But she’s especially proud of Nothile, who is confident in her passion for music. “I’m 100 percent behind her. I couldn’t be prouder,” Nonku says, clearly supportive of her daughter’s journey.
When asked about her relationship with fellow cast member Jojo Robinson, Nonku reflects on the importance of their friendship. “I believe that my bond with Jojo would not be this strong had we not gone through the challenges we went through,” she says. “We now understand each other. We know what loyalty is. I’m loyal to her whatever time or day, and she has my 100 percent support.”
Their friendship, built on trust and shared experiences, has become a cornerstone of Nonku’s time on the show.
Given her previous public relationship, Nonku is cautious about future romances on camera. “Love is beautiful. God is love, and I believe in love,” she says. “I wear my heart on my sleeve, so the man I’m meant to be with, a God-fearing man, won’t be public. However, I will never shy away from talking about a God-given gift.”
For Nonku, love and faith go hand in hand, and she’s focused on the right person, on her terms.
