Jojo Opens Up About How the Alabuga Start Programme Backlash Nearly Broke Her

Former Big Brother Mzansi Season 5 contestant and singer Karabo Sejojo, popularly known as Jojo, is speaking candidly about the rollercoaster of emotions she experienced following her involvement in the Russia influencer scandal. The 23-year-old revealed the personal toll the controversy took on her during a heartfelt appearance on the Engineer Your Life podcast.

Jojo was among several South African influencers whose TikTok accounts were permanently banned after endorsing the so-called “Alabuga Start Programme.” The initiative reportedly targeted unemployed South African women aged 18 to 22, encouraging them to travel to Russia for professional training, career opportunities, and what seemed like a glamorous lifestyle. Influencers promoted the program by promising free flights, accommodation, high-paying jobs, and lessons in multiple languages, including Russian, all while living in a pyramid-shaped building with thousands of women from different countries. Many South Africans expressed concern that the program seemed suspicious and possibly linked to human trafficking.

Reflecting on the backlash, Jojo said, “There was a petition that said, ‘cancel these people,’ and I was like, I’m not even six months old in this industry and I’m being cancelled. My career is over even before it starts.”

The situation left Jojo questioning herself deeply. “I was asking myself, ‘did I ever put a person in a situation where I compromise how they feel about themselves.’ I asked myself so many questions that where I went wrong,” she admitted. She added that after years of trying to make it as a YouTuber and in singing competitions without success, the sudden public criticism was crushing. “The life I’m living is something l’ve been working many years for. I tried being a YouTuber, singing competition they didn’t work and now that l’ve gotten my big break people are saying we’ve never needed you.”

Through the darkest moments, Jojo credits her parents for being her anchor. “I decided to go back home. My parents helped me. I think I would’ve committed suicide that day. That’s how deep it was. People think we are crying for numbers and followers. It’s not that,” she shared.

This month, Jojo is celebrating a brighter chapter in her life. The singer, songwriter, and Mzansi Magic ambassador recently graduated and shared stunning pictures of herself in her academic regalia. Reflecting on her journey, she posted, “The past two weeks have been some of the heaviest I’ve ever faced. There were moments where it felt like life was coming to an end, like I had no strength left to keep going. But standing here on this day, I am reminded of the power of resilience, prayer, and hard work.”