‘Real Housewives of Johannesburg’ star Naledi Willers has died

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers has died after battling breast cancer for two years.

The news was announced on Wednesday morning.

Willers shared in 2019 that she had been diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer and had started chemotherapy.

She appeared on the first season of the reality show that follows the lives of Johannesburg’s most successful and richest women.

Willers was a model, actress, a qualified chef and obtained a law degree while battling the disease. Her co-star Christall Kay confirmed the news to The Citizen

Kay said: “I remember her as a bold beauty that never shied away from a challenge! My sincere condolences to her family and friends.”

Willers shared information around cancer in hopes to help others. The model said early detection saved lives and at the time, it saved hers.

“I’m able to sit here and share this with you because I ‘bumped’ into my tumour and wouldn’t relent until I was diagnosed and started treatment. Early detection saved my life.

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“With dread diseases such as breast cancer, it’s critical to detect the onset of illness as soon as possible. This can mean the difference between life and death. Literally,” she posted in April this year.

Writing about her diagnosis in October 2020, she said: “On 29 Nov 2019 I was diagnosed with stage-two triple-negative breast cancer. This was also the day I wrote the last exam of my law degree… while waiting for the call bearing my results.

“I spent the past short while posting pictures taken around this time last year so I can show what a difference a year makes… and also to say that through all those changes, I’m still here, still fighting. Does the fight for survival ever end? I choose to say: still healing. Still improving. Every day I draw another breath… still winning.

“The world buckled down and braced for the impact of Covid-19 while each day I was terrified that an encounter with the virus while on chemotherapy could result in my death due to my compromised immune system.

“In truth the lockdown also offered me shelter to go through all I have and still am going throughout the public eye… life is what you make it and we choose how to look at things. This is how I chose to look at my reality.”

Condolences pour in for Naledi Willers: