Naledi Willers
Naledi Willers | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 November 1991 Palapye, Botswana |
| Died | 7 December 2021 (aged 30) Palapye, Botswana |
| Education |
|
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Model • chef • television personality • lawyer |
| Years active | 2009–2021 |
| Television | The Real Housewives of Johannesburg (2018) |
| Spouse |
Quinton Masina
(m. 2017; sep. 2019) |
Naledi Willers (11 November 1991 – 7 December 2021) was a Motswana model, chef, television personality, and lawyer. She was best known as an original main cast member on the 1Magic reality television series The Real Housewives of Johannesburg (2018).
Early life and education
[edit]Naledi Willers was born in Palapye, Botswana on 11 November 1991, as the daughter to a black Motswana mother, Bagomi Willers, and a white South African father.[1][2][3]
Education
[edit]Willers was educated Kgaswe English Medium School in her hometown from 1996 to 2001, Stanford Lake College in Limpopo from 2002 to 2004, and National School of Arts in South Africa from 2005 to 2007. She attended Swaneng Hill School in Serowe from 2006, graduating with her Cambridge certificate (CPE) in 2008. She attended University of the Free State from 2014, graduating with her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 2018.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Willers rose to prominence as an original main cast member on the 1Magic reality television series The Real Housewives of Johannesburg.[6] The first series premiered on 3 August 2018, with Evodia Mogase, Mercy Mogase, Christall Kay, Brinnette Seopela, and Busisiwe "Lendy" Ter Mors, while Lerika Kleinhans, Olwethu Leshabane, and Nthabiseng "Chef Nti" Ramaboa serving as recurring cast members ("friend of"). The finale episode aired on 19 October 2018, with the two-part reunion, hosted by Moshe Ndiki, airing a week later.[7][8]
Willers was asked to do reality television prior to joining The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, but declined. She was placed second in the Miss Botswana 2009 beauty pageant. She was placed in the Top 28 in the Miss South Africa 2012 beauty pageant.[9] She was a qualified chef. She had worked, briefly, as an actress. She was a qualified lawyer. She was the owner of New Star Studios in Randburg.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Willers kept her personal life mostly private. In March 2017, she married Quinton Masina, better known as DJ Naked, a DJ for Metro FM, in Botswana.[11] The couple announced that they had separated in February 2019, after nearly two years of marriage.[12][13]
Illness and death
[edit]On 29 November 2019, Willers was diagnosed with stage two triple-negative breast cancer. She immediately started to undergo chemotherapy.[14]
Willers died at a hospital in Palapye, Botswana on 7 December 2021, following complications resulting from breast cancer. She was 30.[15][16][17] Her memorial service took place at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg on 15 December 2021.[18] She was laid to rest in her hometown.[19][20]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Real Housewives of Johannesburg | Series regular; 14 episodes |
References
[edit]- ^ Joyce, Liam Karabo (22 August 2018). "'Real Housewives of Johannesburg': 5-minutes with Naledi Willers". IOL. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ Siyolo, Sinothando (17 December 2021). "'She taught me to be strong,' says Naledi Willers' mom as she remembers her daughter". African Insider. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Mphande, Joy (24 December 2021). "'I have lost a solider by my side, I've lost a true warrior' — moments from Naledi Willers memorial service". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Naidoo, Alicia (8 December 2021). "RIP Naledi Willers: 'RHOJ' star passes away of cancer at the age of 30". The South African. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Naidoo, Alicia (8 December 2021). "#RIPNalediWillers: Five things to know about the late 'RHOJ' star". The South African. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Real Housewives of Johannesburg". 1Magic - Real Housewives of Johannesburg. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Joyce, Liam Karabo (17 December 2021). "'Real Housewives of Johannesburg' star Naledi Willers has died". IOL. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Ellen (9 December 2021). "Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers dies aged 30". Her.ie. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ King, Tracey Che (14 September 2018). "3 Things you never knew about Naledi Willers". Glamour South Africa. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Archary, Natasha (8 December 2021). "Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers dies". KAYA 959. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Kekana, Chrizelda; Gaanakgomo, Constance; Mphande, Joy (8 December 2021). "'Real Housewives of Johannesburg' star Naledi Willers has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Zeeman, Kyle (22 February 2019). "Shock! Naked DJ and his wife announce split". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Naidoo, Alicia (24 March 2022). "'I want to have other children': Is Naked DJ starting a family with Kayleigh?". The South African. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama (9 February 2022). "'I miss you, that's all' - Naledi Willers' best friend remembers her two months after passing". News24. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Barr, Sabrina (8 December 2021). "Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers dies aged 30". Metro. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Kekana, Chrizelda; Gaanakgomo, Constance; Mphande, Joy (8 December 2021). "'Real Housewives of Johannesburg' star Naledi Willers has died". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Morkel, Graye (9 December 2021). "RHOJ star Naledi Willers remembered as 'the greatest fighter' and a multi-talented legend". News24. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Joyce, Liam Karabo (8 December 2021). "'RHOJ' star Naledi Willers has died". Glamour South Africa. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Joyce, Liam Karabo (14 December 2021). "'Real Housewives of Johannesburg' star Naledi Willers to be laid to rest in Botswana". IOL. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama (15 December 2021). "Naledi Willers' last days shared at her memorial service - 'I have learned to suffer in silence'". News24. Retrieved 8 July 2025.