Lethabo “LeJoy” Mathatho, a star of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, recently shared the highs and lows of her Jamaican adventure in an interview with Sowetan LIVE. One unexpected disappointment? The men on the island. “The most disappointing part about this trip were the men. They weren’t as yummy as I expected them to be,” Mathatho candidly revealed.
Mathatho joined fellow fan-favorite housewives Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco, Liz Prins, Londie London, Beverley Steyn, Christall Kay, Melany Viljoen, and Nonku Williams for the Showmax spin-off reality TV show. Reflecting on her journey, Mathatho highlighted the island’s vibrant culture, delicious food, and picturesque weather, while also mentioning the challenges she faced.
“It took me 24 hours to get to the island. I only got to catch my flight a couple of days after the other housewives – this was because I was still shooting my show,” she explained. Despite the long journey, she found solace in the beautiful Jamaican breeze, which helped her relax and enjoy the trip.
Mathatho felt a sense of familiarity with the Jamaican culture, thanks to her late uncle’s love for reggae music and Bob Marley. “The Jamaican accent wasn’t new to me. I knew it because of my late uncle who used to listen to a lot of reggae music when I was young,” she shared. This connection made her immersion into the local culture less of a shock.
One significant regret from the trip was missing a live performance by Lauryn Hill and the Marley family. “I was so bummed that we couldn’t go see the performance, but some of us ladies watched on the internet and social media as it was trending on the island,” she lamented. Additionally, her jet lag prevented her from attending a festival on the second night, adding to her list of missed opportunities.
Mathatho noted a stark contrast between the people of Jamaica and those back home in South Africa. “South Africans are still by far the warmest and kindest people you’ll find in the world,” she remarked. She felt that outside of their tourist status, the locals were not as welcoming, reinforcing her appreciation for the spirit of ubuntu in South Africa.
On the culinary side, Mathatho indulged in her love for salmon and discovered the local delicacy of Jamaican goat curry. Initially hesitant, she found the dish delicious and compared its prevalence to that of chicken in South Africa.
Despite the mixed experiences, Mathatho’s Jamaican trip was an eye-opener, filled with both memorable moments and valuable lessons about the warmth of her homeland.
