Entertainer Says He Was Not Mocking Former Media Star
South African entertainer Somizi Mhlongo has responded to criticism over a TikTok video that many viewers believed was connected to Nonhle Thema’s recent radio interview.
The media personality addressed the backlash in a follow-up TikTok video, questioning why some people felt the need to criticise his content.
“Who appointed you?” Somizi asked, while defending his right to have fun online.
He insisted that the video was not intended to mock Thema or make fun of her comments.
“So, can’t we have fun anymore? I wasn’t mocking anything. It was a sound that I thought was nice and still think it’s nice,” he said.
TikTok Video Sparks Online Debate
The controversy began after Somizi shared a video on Sunday featuring himself wearing bright orange hair, glasses and a beige branded hoodie.
In the clip, he reacted to an audio clip believed by many viewers to be from Nonhle Thema’s appearance on “947 Drive with Thando Thabethe”.
The video showed Somizi making exaggerated facial expressions, smiling and playing with his hair, which led some social media users to believe he was making fun of Thema.
The reaction quickly sparked discussions online, with some followers saying they were disappointed by the post.
However, Somizi maintained that there was no hidden message behind the video and that he was simply enjoying a popular sound.
Nonhle Thema’s Interview Sparks Conversation
The TikTok came shortly after Thema appeared on the radio show, where she claimed she was the first person to introduce South Africans to Twitter.
Her statement caused debate across social media, with some users questioning the claim while others defended her contribution to South African pop culture.
Supporters pointed out that Thema was one of the country’s biggest entertainment personalities during the 2000s, long before the rise of modern influencer culture.
A Look Back At Thema’s Influence
Before social media influencers became household names, Nonhle Thema was already a major figure in South African entertainment.
She hosted her own television show in 2006, appeared on magazine covers and attended high-profile international events.
Throughout her career, Thema was associated with major celebrity moments and was photographed alongside global stars, including Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Her influence during that era made her one of the most recognisable personalities in South African media.
Social Media Divided Over Celebrity Debate
The incident highlights how quickly celebrity moments can become online discussions, especially when nostalgia, controversy and entertainment collide.
While some viewers interpreted Somizi’s TikTok as criticism, others saw it as harmless entertainment.
For Somizi, the message was clear: he was simply enjoying a sound and did not intend to mock anyone.
