Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho is part of the official cast of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa
10 June 2024

Lethabo Lejoy Mathato on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

Since its launch three weeks ago, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa became an instant hit with fans across Africa, topping charts both on Showmax and on social media.

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa features eight Housewives from five different South African franchises, bringing them together in Jamaica, where they share their experiences of those shows - including the things that viewers did not get to see.

The star-studded cast includes Beverley Steyn (The Real Housewives of Cape Town S1); Christall Kay (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S1-2); LaConco (The Real Housewives of Durban S1-2); Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S2-3); Liz Prins (The Real Housewives of Gqeberha S1); Londie London (The Real Housewives of Durban S2); Melany Viljoen (The Real Housewives of Pretoria S1); and Nonku Williams (The Real Housewives of Durban S1-4).

Watch the trailer for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa

Lethabo is now one of seven African Housewives with three or more seasons in their resume, behind only Nonku Williams (5 seasons) and Sorisha Naidoo (4), and tied with Annie Mthembu, Christall, Jojo Robinson, and LaConco.

After filming in Jamaica, Lethabo is spilling on all things Housewives, including her relationship with fellow Johannesburg co-star Christall:

Why did you join The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa?

I decided to join The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa because I wanted to meet the other ladies from different franchises. For me, it was an opportunity to meet my colleagues from different branches and discuss our experiences and the things we go through. Being a Housewife is a unique experience that not a lot of people will understand, so it was nice to be with people who are in the same boat as me. There were a lot of commonalities between us.

What are some of the common things that you all go through?

The biggest commonality is that we all have two sides. On our shows, people sometimes see the good side and sometimes they see the bad, but what we can all agree on is that we show it all.

Going into the trip, was there anything in particular that you wanted to clarify or find out from the other ladies?

Because I am on The Real Housewives and I do this for a living, I was most interested in finding out the behind-the-scenes tea. In my experience, I have learnt that the juiciest things always happen when the cameras are not rolling, so it was interesting to find out a few things from the ladies.

How are you different from the Lethabo viewers saw in The Real Housewives of Johannesburg?

In my last season of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, I was bored the entire time. I was like, ‘When are we finishing?’ because I knew that my castmates were just starting things from nowhere. I felt like it was not natural. They read and heard about me and they came with preconceived ideas of who I am. Honestly, I was just put off by that.

On The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa, I came in to have fun. I did not know anybody, so, for me, I just wanted to experience the ladies. In the midst of that, I experienced them differently from what I saw on TV, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Who was the most different from what you saw on their franchises?

When I was watching The Real Housewives of Durban, I did not understand Nonku much but meeting her in real life was so good. She is so much fun. I fell in love with Bev from Cape Town and Liz from GQ is my girl. She and I grew so close and we speak every day, multiple times. She is essentially part of my family. She even speaks to my mom.

What was the biggest shock you had when you met the other ladies?

I would say that the things that were coming out of their mouths were shocking. There were so many things that were revealed on the show; I can’t wait for viewers to watch and see it all. A lot of things will start to make sense; no one held back.

What were your first impressions of everyone?

Where do I even start? When I saw everyone, I knew that it would be a lot of fun but I also knew that it would be a big headache. Mixing all of these personalities together was really smart and that is why viewers are enjoying the show so much.

Your and Christall’s friendship is on and off. Why is that?

The situation with Christall is so weird because I love Christall. She and I have hung out together so many times and we always have a good time, but every time there is a camera, Christall is a different person who I cannot understand. The Christall I know off-camera is very different from the one on camera; it is like she is two different people and that is very confusing.

Even when Christall was not asked back for Season 3 of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, I was the one by her side, comforting her, so for her to think that I want to take her down is not true.

Why should people watch?

Yoh, yoh, yoh! If people think that the past three episodes were fire, honey, we have not even switched on the stove yet. We are not even in the kitchen yet. Every episode was fire. There was always something happening in Jamaica. Even after the cameras would stop filming, there would still be drama at the house, and some dramas went beyond filming. A lot happened and it is going to get more intense, more fun, more chaotic. It is just more of everything!

About The Real Housewives

The Real Housewives is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Other Showmax Originals include editions in Durban, Abuja, Lagos and Nairobi. Showmax is also the streaming home of the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Wynlande franchises.

hayu, NBCUniversal’s all-reality SVOD streaming service, is streaming Season 4 of The Real Housewives of Durban across 45 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. S1 of The Real Housewives of Durban is also available on Bravo, the original home of the franchise.

Share:

More like this

Mobland S1 is on Showmax

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

MobLand on Showmax

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime. 

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa.jpg

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa brings together Housewives from across the continent, landing on Showmax on 28 November 2025.

OriginalMade in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Potomac S10 on Showmax

The Real Housewives of Potomac S9-10

The reality series follows several well-to-do women who live in a community of rolling hills and gated mansions in Potomac.

First
The Paper S1 on Showmax

From The Office to The Paper

As The Office’s OG documentary crew gets a new business in their crosshairs, we expose the connections between these two workplace mockumentaries.

First
Michael C Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter’s son Harrison “killed” him in the finale of Dexter: New Blood. But he’s back from the dead and on a mission: tie up loose ends.

Spinnes S2 on Showmax

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join Spinners S2

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join the cast of Spinners for Season 2, coming to CANAL+ platforms, DStv and Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Black Bag is on Showmax

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax

Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana live on Showmax Premier League

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Catch Newcastle v Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, 28 September at 17:30

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

Thelma on Showmax

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Catch the blockbuster Premier League weekend live on Showmax Premier League.

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler as 'Big Nick' O'Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2: Panthera. Photo Credit: Rico Torres.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Lunathi Mampofu in Levels Season 1 on Mzansi Magic

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Catch the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham live on Showmax Premier League.

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Catch the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, live on Showmax Premier League.

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Catch the Manchester Derby live on Showmax Premier League.

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

The Brutalist on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Vaal Riviera is on Showmax

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

Finding Optel on Showmax

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Youngins S3 on Showmax

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins