To say that it is the most-anticipated spinoff to hit the screens would be an understatement.
From the different franchises of The Real Housewives in South Africa, eight iconic glam queens are taking us on the Ultimate Girls' Trip.
One of those iconic housewives is Nonkanyiso ‘LaConco’ Conco, who appeared on local screens in her first reality series feature on the first two seasons of The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD).
Since then, LaConco has diversified her portfolio as a TV presenter on Our Perfect Wedding, Forever Thina, Ingane Yam as well as in the voice-over business, and as an MC and entrepreneur.
In her first interview since the announcement of the ultimate girls’ trip, LaConco shares how she was approached to be part of the spinoff.
“I was actually in chats with one of the producers about something else. They then inquired about whether I knew of this particular Housewives franchise, which I admitted to having a bit of knowledge of. The producer then proceeded to ask if I was interested in being a part of this version and my answer was a definite yes!”
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Before she could even know who was going to be cast beside her, she was already sold by the location of the trip of the trip.
Set in Jamaica, the housewife let the locks of life down for some reggae and felt at home.
“For the first time in all my travelling experiences, I found that when we were in Jamaica I was not home-sick - I only missed my son and my mom. Jamaica was like my home away from home, especially when it came to the food. I loved our housekeeper Mr Alton's cooking. Even the overall hospitality experience was amazing, with five-star treatment at its best! I also loved that the gym was a stone’s throw away from my room.”
While many expect trouble to have ensued on the paradise trip, LaConco assures that she and the other ladies had a good understanding of each other.
“Myself and the other ladies have a good understanding of each other. Although I had been quite acquainted with the likes of Nonku Williams and Londie London, I had no extensive knowledge of the other ladies. I'm glad that I hadn't watched the other franchises before going to Jamaica, which helped me to not get any preconceived ideas about fellow cast members.”
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Being no stranger to TV and headlines, she says she is ready for whatever critique that fame brings.
“I'm no stranger to being on TV, so being on the news is not a shock to my system anymore. There is new information about me that will be revealed, and it will probably create a lot of talk, but that all comes with being on a public platform. How I've handled fame is always ensuring that I stay true to myself and that I am intact and not shaken by whatever is out there. Everything is constantly happening around you but if you are at peace within yourself, you can then navigate around all these external factors. So whatever waves that will come with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, I will always pass those waves because I am content with who I am.”
Since her departure from RHOD, LaConco has had a body transformation that has had many either drool or sbwl.
“I'm quite close to my goals but I'll be honest and admit that it is also a constant work in progress. For example, I'm going in for my second liposuction in September for my stomach because I'm still dealing with a lot of skin excess. In addition to that I'm exercising and eating right, so I'm constantly working at improving my physique. I'm not done yet,” she describes her fitness journey.
Like her last reality show franchise, she can’t wait for the business opportunities that await her after this spinoff premieres on 27 May 2024.
She adds the show will be one for the books for her.
“It is one for the books! It is content that South African viewers will thoroughly enjoy streaming. I think what is also important to note is that it is the first one in Africa and it will have so much to offer. Kusazoshuba! [It’s about to get real!].”
The cast includes Beverly Steyn from The Real Housewives of Cape Town, Christall Kay from The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho from The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Liz Prins from The Real Housewives of Gqeberha, Londie London from The Real Housewives of Durban, Melany Viljoen from The Real Housewives of Pretoria and the longest-serving Housewife in Africa, Nonku Williams from The Real Housewives of Durban, who just broke the tie she had with her fellow Durban cast member Sorisha Naidoo.
