She’s returned with a new name to fit an all-new season.
Lebo ‘Jojo’ Mokoena has made a comeback to the Real Housewives of Johannesburg stage with a new lease on life.
The 30-year-old entrepreneur originally from Welkom first stole the show in her first appearance in the second season of Johannesburg’s rendition of the hit reality show, and now viewers are ready to see how she tackles the lifestyle of the rich and famous after her rebrand.
After the premiere of the first episode on Friday 19 May 2023 – featuring returning housewife Lethabo ‘LeJoy’ Mathato and new castmates Keabetswe Marema, Nicole Watson, Thobekile Mdlalose, and Mamus Koka – after a nearly-three-year hiatus, we can’t wait to see more of Johannesburg’s finest.
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This season, Lebo joins the cast as Lebo Mokoena, after splitting from her businessman ex-husband Lebo Gunguluza in 2021. They got married in a lavish ceremony in Mauritius in 2017.
Lebo tells TRUELOVE how differently she’ll approach the third season.
“So, I think for season three, for me – usually Lethabo and I are referred to as the OGs because we are the only two cast members returning from the previous season. But I always say that this is my first season.
“This is Lebo Mokoena’s first season and for me coming into it, I was nervous. I did not know what to expect but the only one thing that I was leaning towards was I chose myself. I put myself first and I just went in headfirst. I dived in and it’s been beautiful,” she shares.
Lebo shares how to get the best Glow Up!! ? #RHOJS3 #RHOJS3WatchParty pic.twitter.com/OM6OEFmiJg
— 1Magic (@1MagicTV) May 19, 2023
If there’s one thing Lebo has been candid about, it’s making sure that the country embraces women who put themselves first.
“We live in a country where there’s GBV, there’s so many things happening, kuningi, like there’s a lot in this country. Women choosing themselves need to be celebrated. Gone are the days where we look down upon women that get divorced. Would you rather have someone in a coffin, or would you rather have someone to say, ‘you know what… [it] didn’t work out, let me try again.’ And that’s one thing about the beauty of love is we’re always trying again,” Lebo divulges.
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The previous season of Real Housewives of Johannesburg saw tensions between Lebo and returning castmate Lethabo, although it seems season three will show their growing friendship in a new light.
Speaking on how she cultivates friendships with the people closest to her, Lebo explains, “How I approach friendships is, so I have friends in different spheres. I’ve got friends that I’ll meet in the streets, and we’ll drink and have food and we’ll have a meal, but they’ll never come to my house. I have friends that will come to my house, and we’ll break bread, but they’ll never sleep over. I’ve got friends that will sleep over but they’ll never meet my family.
“I have learned to put people in certain categories and for me how you treat me, how you behave through – I don’t know, they say time tells is all and for me it’s that. I’m not looking for friendship, but I value friendship.”
Apart from dabbling in the world of reality TV, Lebo has made a name for herself as radio host on the lifestyle platform Opulence Radio and is the mind behind the South African Music Awards (SAMA) magazine, earning her the title as one of the youngest Black woman publishers in Africa.
Recently, she’s spread her wings venturing into the world of business, acquiring ownership of the Centurion location of lifestyle salon Tammy Tayor in Grey Owl Village.
Sharing her new-found goals, Lebo says, “In this journey, you see me trying again, but you also see me starting businesses that are – things that I’m more paying attention or starting things that I should’ve done years ago and I’m just choosing me and doing me.”
Real Housewives of Johannesburg airs every Friday at 20:30 on 1Magic.
