Annie Mthembu Returns to Reality TV, and This Time, She’s Calling the Shots

After three seasons on The Real Housewives of Durban, Annie Mthembu stepped away from the spotlight. For a while, viewers thought she might have left reality television for good. She focused on her family and business ventures, taking time to reset before deciding to return on her own terms.

Annie told Sowetan S-Mag that her decision to step back was influenced by the pace and pressure of life in front of the cameras. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” she said. “I needed to breathe, to be with myself and remember who I am outside the cameras.”

During her break, she devoted time to her work and personal life. According to her, that period allowed her to rest and regain perspective. “I finally felt like myself again, rested and ready to enjoy the experience this time around,” she explained.

Her next screen appearance will not be in Durban. She joins The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, a new Showmax series bringing together cast members from South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. The show was filmed in Brazil and condenses the action into a single location and a shorter filming schedule.

Speaking about her return, Annie said she wanted to approach things differently. “I’m not here to argue for the sake of it,” she told Sowetan S-Mag. “But I’m also not going to stay quiet just to keep the peace.” She described her focus as being on balance, handling tension without losing composure.

Annie added that she intends to set clearer boundaries about what she shares on camera. “I know what I’m willing to share and what’s off-limits,” she said. “People will see me having fun, connecting, even disagreeing, but not losing myself.”

From her comments, it’s clear she views Ultimate Girls Trip as an opportunity to enjoy reality TV on her own terms. She acknowledged that differences among strong personalities are inevitable but believes that honesty can make those moments more meaningful. “It’s about fun, about strong personalities meeting, and yes, there’ll be drama,” she said. “But this time, it’s drama that means something.”

Her perspective reflects a wider change within the reality-TV space, where more women are choosing to control their participation rather than allow producers to shape their narratives entirely. Annie’s return underlines that shift.

Showmax describes the series as a “fresh mix of familiar faces and new settings,” promising viewers a combination of travel, luxury and authentic conversations. For Annie, it represents another chance to show her personality and experience without being defined by past seasons.

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa premieres on Showmax on 28 November 2025. Annie says she’s looking forward to sharing the screen with women from across the continent. This time, she steps in with the confidence of someone who understands exactly what she’s walking into.