She may be soft-spoken but Sonal Maherali, or as she calls herself “the queen of the African Savanna”, knows a thing or two about marking her territory while staying sophisticated, and sometimes dramatic when need be.
“I don’t do drama, I only do style and class but if need be, I break the glass,” she declares, hinting at what fans can expect from her as The Real Housewives of Nairobi premieres on 23 February.
Get to know a bit more about the luxury influencer, entrepreneur and mother of four below.
Why did you want to be on The Real Housewives of Nairobi?
Well, who wouldn’t? I wanted to be on the show because what’s more than being a Kenyan, homegrown, powerful, affluent and luxurious…I mean I have a lot to give to the show.
In your own words, what does it mean to be a real housewife of Nairobi?
To be a real housewife of Nairobi, you need to be resilient, bold and opulent. And sometimes you have to be sly. You need the pizzazz and the glitz; you need everything and in six-inch heels.
You call yourself Simba Maharani or Generali, what inspired these names?
For my name and brand, I’m known as the queen of the African Savanna, and we all know who that is. It’s the lioness. So I call myself Simba Maharani but for you it’s Generali because I rule. This is my territory and you will not cross it.
What sets Nairobi apart from other franchises?
Nairobi is different because it will give you what it wants to give you. They better wait because Nairobi will not only bring it, it will bring itself. Nairobi is a city under the sun, all the time; we will blind you. We know how to be courteous and kind but we also know how to be fierce.
If you were to add any other Kenyan on the show, who would it be?
I have to think style, fashion and strength so I would add Joy Kendi because I see a lot of strength in her. She is a no-nonsense person, and she has great style. I would also add Sylvia Njoki because style is her mantra. Very elegant and sophisticated, and yet still very bold. She doesn’t sugarcoat her words.
What’s the one thing you’re very proud of on the show, and that you can’t wait to share with viewers?
I’ve been very brave to speak about mental health on the show, as one who suffers from depression and anxiety. This is a global problem which I am addressing, and I am not ashamed, especially if it helps anyone out there to seek help. There is no shame in not being okay. This is one thing that I’m proud that I have addressed on The Real Housewives of Nairobi, and that I will continue addressing.
The Real Housewives of Nairobi premieres exclusively on Showmax on 23 February 2023, with new episodes every Thursday.
