The past weekend was all about businessman Veli Ngubane and TV presenter Palesa Tembe’s glamorous engagement. The couple splashed socials with a fairly over-the-top proposal, from a helicopter ride to the grand white piano and beautiful roses, it’s clear that the couple spared no expenses. Meanwhile, his ex-fiancée, Real Housewives of Johannesburg’s Nicole Watson, known as Nicci Lee, made her debut as a new cast member of the show. Insiders tell ZiMoja that not so long ago, the newly engaged Ngubane and Watson were supposed to be on the reality show together as a family working on resolving past issues. But ZiMoja has learnt the couple went their separate ways following a turning point which we will see unfold on the show.

NGUBANE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SHOW 

According to an insider, Ngubane was supposed to be part of RHOJ but chickened out at the last minute. "He changed his mind on the day of the shoot," adds the source. Speaking to Zimoja, Watson says she is tired of people sending her text messages and checking up on her. She and her baby daddy are done. "I don’t know how many calls I got this week from people checking up on me. I am fine... he has moved on and I am happy for him and wish them all the best," she adds. According to an insider, Ngubane was supposed to shoot with Watson as the couple tried to mend their broken relationship. The source adds that Ngubane had planned to surprise Watson with an engagement ring. "He had planned a surprise with the help of some cast members but changed his mind. Maybe he realised he was in love with Tembe," adds the source. Another source adds that they did not see their breakup coming.

SHE NURSED HIM BACK TO HEALTH 

"When Ngubane got sick after his surgery, he went and stayed with Watson, the two were working on their relationship, but as soon as he healed he left and went back to his lover," says the source. Although he won’t appear on the reality show, Watson’s storyline also revolves around him, even though producers had to change the direction at the last minute. The source adds that the two were also engaged, although he has never paid lobola, but he did ask Watson’s father for her hand in marriage in 2018. "She still mentions his name a lot on the show," another source whispers, adding that, Tembe was always around, it was just a matter of Ngubane making up his mind. "I guess love wins because he chose her." Watson maintains that this chapter of her life is over and the sooner people get over it the better. " I was not going to rush into marriage when we had serious issues that need to be resolved first," she says.

Veli Ngubane and Palesa Tembe

ENGAGEMENT 

Ngubane and Tembe got engaged at the Quoin Rock Wine Lounge in Stellenbosch in a glitz and glamorous affair. The couple share a child together. Watson’s reaction to Ngubeni and Tembe’s wedding has left many unsympathetic to her as she was heard saying she was breaking up with Ngubeni anyway in the latest episode of RHOJ.