TATS MADE ME LOVE MYSELF

JoJo Robinson has become a fan favourite on The Real Housewives of Durban, but her body art tells the story of a painful past

- KIM ABRAHAMS

SHE lives in a mansion, owns art worth hundreds of thousands of rands and drives a Porsche with a personalised number plate. Yet most people can't tell she's rich just by looking at her.

JoJo Robinson has dozens of tattoos – the only parts of her body that aren't inked are her face, chest and hands.

“People either think I'm an ex-convict or just generally a bad person,” she says.

Curious onlookers often ask if she's driving her boss' car, but don't let her looks fool you. JoJo is one of the wealthiest women in Durban - and now she's breathing new life into The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) thanks to her edgy designer gear, dashing displays of wealth and notso-subtle digs.

"It's hard to be late when you have a Rolex” she declares in a recent confessional after her co-stars arrive late to a soirée.

Her no-holds-barred personality has made the newcomer a firm favourite among fans of the reality show and her straight-talking ways aren't just for the benefit of the cameras.

"I refuse to take sh*t” she tells YOU. “If you give me sh*t, I will dish it back to you. But if you apologise and it's done, we can be friends again and move on" JoJo (34) joined the cast when fellow Durban housewife Sorisha Naidoo, who she knew through a mutual friend, approached her to join the show.

Season one housewives Ayanda Ncwane and Kgomotso Ndungane were leaving the franchise and the producers were on the prowl for a new cast member.

At first she was reluctant. JoJo worried about being accepted by the other socialites but she'd always wanted to be on TV so she decided to give it a go.