🔥”They Called Her a Lion! 🦁 Tirelo Finally Breaks Her Silence on Mpumelelo & Amahle’s Shocking Words!”
In what’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about online spats of the month, South African internet sensation Tirelo has broken her silence after being publicly referred to as “iBhubesi” (which translates to “lion” in Zulu) by fellow content creators Mpumelelo and Amahle.
While on the surface, being compared to a lion might seem like a compliment—signifying strength, leadership, and courage—the context behind their use of the word tells a different story.
This wasn’t praise.
This was an underhanded dig cloaked in metaphor, and Tirelo knew it.
The whole drama unfolded when Mpumelelo and Amahle appeared in a livestream where they “jokingly” called Tirelo a lion.
The tone? Mocking.
The smiles? Sarcastic.
The body language? Clear: this was shade, not admiration.
Social media picked up the clip almost instantly, with TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) users weighing in, many interpreting the remark as a subtle attack on Tirelo’s demeanor, calling her “aggressive,” “too much,” or “always roaring for attention.
” It didn’t take long for the term “iBhubesi” to trend, not as a badge of honor, but as a code word to label strong women as threatening.
But Tirelo didn’t flinch.
In a calmly delivered but emotionally charged video response posted to her YouTube and Instagram platforms, she addressed the drama head-on.
“I know what they meant,” she began, locking eyes with the camera.
“They weren’t calling me powerful.
They were calling me loud, difficult, and unapproachable.
That word wasn’t a crown.
It was a cage.
” Her words hit hard, not just because of their content but because of the chilling composure with which she delivered them.
No yelling.
No name-calling.
Just brutal honesty wrapped in undeniable poise.
She went on to dissect how the term “lion” has historically been used in coded language to undermine assertive women—especially Black women.
“We get told we’re too loud, too fierce, too intense.
But if a man does it, he’s a boss.
A leader.
I refuse to apologize for being powerful,” she declared.
Her fans erupted with support, flooding her comment sections with heart emojis and fire icons, praising her for “reclaiming the roar.
But she didn’t stop there.
Tirelo also touched on how the online negativity has affected her personally.
“I won’t lie—some of the comments hurt.
People say things like ‘She’s always playing victim,’ or ‘She thinks she’s better than everyone.
’ It gets to you.
But then I remember: lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
” That single quote alone has now gone viral, printed on memes and digital posters across Instagram and TikTok.
Influencers, fans, and even other celebrities have started reposting her statement, calling it “the ultimate comeback of 2025.
What makes this saga even more gripping is that Mpumelelo and Amahle have so far refused to issue a clear apology.
Instead, they’ve doubled down on their comments in follow-up interviews, claiming that their words were “misunderstood” and that “people are too sensitive these days.
” But public opinion seems to be turning against them fast.
Commenters are now labeling them as “passive-aggressive bullies,” and some fans have even called for brands to drop sponsorships involving the duo.
Meanwhile, Tirelo’s brand is skyrocketing.
Since the incident, her follower count has jumped by over 200,000 across platforms.
Major brands have reached out in support, and insiders say she’s now in talks for a possible docuseries or exclusive interview to dive deeper into her life, struggles, and rise to fame.
It seems the very insult meant to undermine her has instead become the catalyst for her next big breakthrough.
In a particularly poignant moment from her video, Tirelo quoted a South African proverb: “When the lion roars in the forest, the silence of the other animals does not mean consent.
” She used it to illustrate how staying silent in the face of veiled insults only empowers the bullies.
“We’ve been told to stay quiet for too long.
I won’t be part of that silence anymore,” she said, her voice unwavering.
The most astonishing part of her response wasn’t the fire—it was the strategy.
Tirelo didn’t stoop to their level.
She didn’t clap back with equal venom.
Instead, she transformed their insult into empowerment, flipping the narrative so sharply that even her harshest critics had to pause.
Social media users are now coining the phrase “pulling a Tirelo” whenever someone responds to hate with unshakable confidence and class.
The incident also sparked wider conversations about gender, power, and coded language in influencer culture.
Several thought leaders and activists have weighed in, praising Tirelo for using her platform not just to defend herself, but to highlight a systemic issue.
Podcasts and Twitter Spaces have popped up dissecting the deeper implications behind the “lion” metaphor, revealing how even seemingly harmless words can carry weighty implications when weaponized.
So, where does this leave us? For one, it’s clear that Tirelo isn’t just a social media personality—she’s fast becoming a cultural symbol of resilience and unapologetic power.
As for Mpumelelo and Amahle? Their reputations are taking hits they didn’t anticipate.
In trying to “tame the lion,” they may have accidentally unleashed a movement.
In the end, Tirelo summed it up best: “If I’m a lion, then I’ll roar louder.
I’m not afraid of the jungle.
I am the jungle.
” And with that, the internet crowned her not just as “iBhubesi,” but as the queen of the digital savannah—fearless, unbothered, and utterly unforgettable.
