Jackie Maarohanye: Jub Jub's mom and the fall from grace of a South African heroine
Jackie Maarohanye, better known as Jub Jub’s mother, became a familiar name in South Africa through her son’s rise to fame. She was also recognised for her work in her community and her efforts to support young people despite serious controversy and legal challenges. Her story reflects a dramatic journey from respected community figure to a woman at the centre of public scrutiny.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jackie Maarohanye is a South African community activist and the mother of Jub Jub.
- She is also known by the nicknames Mama Jackie, Mama Jackey, and Angel of Soweto.
- She was associated with the Ithuteng Trust and its community-focused work.
- Her public image was later affected by legal controversies and her incarceration.
- Jackie has maintained a relatively private personal life, with limited information about her family and social media presence.
Profile summary
Full name | Jacqueline Maarohanye |
Nickname | Mama Jackey, Mama Jackie, Angel of Soweto |
Place of birth | South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | Black |
Religion | Christianity |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Black |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-spouse | Sydney Maarohanye |
Children | Four |
Profession | South African educator, social activist |
Who is Jackie Maarohanye?
Jub Jub’s mother, Jackie Maarohanye, is a South African heroine. She has not offered any information about her early life, such as parents, siblings, education and upbringing.
She was married to Sydney Maarohanye, a marketing guru and businessman. The couple was blessed with four kids, including South African hip-hop artist Jub Jub (born on 29th June 1998).
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Jackie Maarohanye's occupation
Jackie was the founder of the Ithuteng Trust School in Soweto, South Africa. The school assisted and inspired more than 6000 children in Soweto Township after becoming victims of crime. It protected the children from rapists, murderers and gangs.
Nelson Mandela named Jub Jub's mother the Angel of Soweto, in recognition of her kindness. Oprah Winfrey donated $1.14 million to the cause after it appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in February 2006. Unfortunately, an investigative expose uncovered that she was a fraud and the school was an elaborate hoax. In addition, it was revealed that she abused kids for financial benefits.
Found guilty of kidnapping a former student at the Ithuteng Trust school in Soweto, she was sentenced to a R8,000 fine or four years' imprisonment, avoiding jail time by paying the fine. Her subsequent High Court appeal to overturn this conviction was dismissed in 2009.
Ithuteng trust
Jub Jub's mother, Jackie, ran a school known as The Ithuteng Trust. The South African school allegedly rescued orphans of political violence and sexual abuse and gave them hope and education. The country's investigative news magazine show Carte Blanche exposed the school.
They revealed that the students were not orphans. The show discovered that she scripted and rehearsed the students’ horror stories about how they had watched their parents die. The journalists behind the Carte Blanche expose were awarded the CNN African Journalist of the Year award in television for their work.
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In 2005, a documentary film titled Ithuteng, about the school, was filmed. The show features Itutheng Trust School's students and their leader, Mama Jackie, who is Jub Jub's mother. The film premiered in December 2006 on HBO and HIBO Family. Even after the expose, HBO continued to air the show. HBO spokeswoman Jackie Manzi said,
“We are obviously aware of the allegations that the South African media have made against Mama Jackey. We don’t believe that they affect the veracity of our film.”
Jub Jub's mother's crimes
Even though Jub Jub's mother earned fame and accolades for her alleged selflessness and charitable deeds, this wasn't enough to make her immune to the law's wrath. She has to be held accountable for all her evil deeds, with some of the crimes she committed being:
Child trafficking
In December 2015, she was convicted of child trafficking. She was accused of selling a 6-year-old boy and girl to a childless couple for R15k each in 2012. The two kids were barely a month old. The unsuspecting couple thought it was legit adoption.
They sought help from the court after failing to secure the appropriate documentation. In her defence, she claimed that the money she collected from them was not for selling the children.
Running an unregistered orphanage
In 2010, the social service department had noted that she was running an unregistered orphanage. They advised her to register the orphanage, and when she failed to heed their advice, they took the matter to court.
In defence, she alleged that the department's workers did not allow her to register as they were jealous of her fame. The Judge did not buy her story, considering she had been warned previously.
Jackie Maarohanye's net worth
The exact net worth of Jub Jub's mother, Jacqueline "Mama Jackie" Maarohanye, is not publicly verified or documented in official financial records. Public reports have previously associated her with sizeable community estate assets and historical high-profile donations, but no official net worth valuation exists.
Jackie Maarohanye's house
It is alleged that Jacky and her husband's divorce emerged from their fight over their estate, two houses, a butchery and a fleet of cars. After the cruel separation, her husband moved out of their family house in Naturena, Johannesburg, to a house the couple had bought in Glen Ridge, Soweto.
Who is Jackie Maarohanye's son
Jackie is best known as the mother of South African rapper and television personality Jub Jub. He rose to fame through his music career and later became widely recognised as the host of the television programme Uyajola 9/9. Mama Jackie, also Jub Jub's mother, has often been mentioned in connection with her son's life and career.
How old is Molemo Maarohanye?
Molemo Maarohanye (known as Jub Jub) is 46 years old. He was born on June 29, 1980.
What is Jub Jub's real name?
His real name is Molemo Katleho Maarohanye.
Where was Jub Jub born?
Jub Jub (born Molemo Katleho Maarohanye) was born in Soweto, specifically in the area of Orlando East, in South Africa.
Is Jackie on social media?
Jackie Maarohanye has little to no known personal social media presence, with no verified accounts on major platforms. Most of Jackie Maarohanye's pictures available online are featured in news reports, interviews, and articles covering her work with the Ithuteng Trust and her legal controversies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Jackie active on social media? She does not have any active social media accounts. Jackie Maarohanye's pictures are rarely seen.
- Is Jackie married? No. She was married to Sydney Maarohanye but later divorced.
- Who is Jub Jub's father? His father is Sydney Maarohanye, a South African businessman and marketing specialist.
- Who are Jub Jub's parents? Jub Jub's (Molemo Maarohanye) parents are Jacqueline "Mama Jackie" Maarohanye and Sydney Maarohanye.
- Where is Jub Jub currently? South African musician and television presenter Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye is out on R5,000 bail following his June 2026 arrest.
Jackie Maarohanye’s life has been marked by both community influence and controversy. Her connection to Jub Jub has kept her in the public eye, while her own achievements have shaped her identity beyond being a celebrity’s mother. Her fall from grace remains a complicated chapter in her story.
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Salma Rashid Salma Rashid is a journalist with over three years experience in the digital world space. She holds a Degree in Purchasing and Procurement Management from Mount Kenya University. Salma has been writing for Briefly since 2019 and has grown to become a specialist at creating stimulating blog posts. Email: salmarashidabdul@gmail.com
Kevin Omuya (Lifestyle writer) Kevin Omuya is a professional content writer with over three years of experience. At Legit.ng, he has contributed to extensive research on various topics such as celebrity news, fashion, and biographies. He has also worked as an editor and content creator at SportsCulture and CottageMed. In 2019, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University. You can reach him through his email: komuya89@gmail.com
