Ntando Rambani reflects on effects of grandmother’s alleged bullying

Ntando Rambani recently opened up about being bullied over her freckles, sharing the remarks her grandmother said to her, and reflecting on the standards it set for her in how to raise her children.

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Being bullied over freckles

The actress, now author, sat down with South African singer and actress Nandi Madida on the Motherhood Network Book Club and spoke about the themes in her new book, From One Mother to Another. 

Since the episode aired on 6 September 2026, a portion of the clip has been circulating on social media. The video features Ntando describing a tear-jerking memory about her freckles. The author reflected on her dreams of being on TV and being inspired by Hulisani Ravele, whom she related to because of her freckles.

She then recounted a time growing up when her grandmother told her that her freckles made her look ugly: “Yeah, my own grandmother told me…” she said as she broke into tears.

Ntando Duma narrates how she was bullied by her grandmother for having freckles 🤧😭😭 pic.twitter.com/PnqwEIcbaH

— Mnyamani 👑 (@Zikamnyamane) September 6, 2026

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On being who she needed as a child

Through the tears, Ntando explained that she is not crying out of anger but rather from the hurt of needing support for who she was and receiving the exact opposite. She does share a bright side to the experience: even though she didn’t get that support and validation as a child, she knows who she needs to be for her children.

“Which I’m glad I experienced, sis Nandi. I won’t lie to you because how I mother now is way different.” Sharing that her grandmother set a very good example of how not to show up.

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