South Africa’s entertainment industry is known for its glamorous celebrities, high-energy drama, and moments of intense rivalry.

While many celebs put on a united front for their fans, behind the scenes, there’s often no love lost between some of Mzansi’s biggest names.

From explosive Twitter feuds to public altercations, some of South Africa’s most famous faces seem to have unresolved issues with one another.

In this article, we explore 8 of the most talked-about feuds in the South African celebrity world, including high-profile clashes like Sizwe Dhlomo vs Vusi Thembekwayo, Ntsiki Mazwai vs Shimza, Unathi Nkayi vs Somizi Mhlongo, and Penuel The Black Pen vs MacG.

1. Sizwe Dhlomo vs Vusi Thembekwayo: The Battle of the Business Moguls

Sizwe Dhlomo and Vusi Thembekwayo, both giants in the South African media and business worlds, have been known for their fiery social media exchanges.

Their rivalry started in 2020 after Sizwe, a well-known radio personality and businessman, took to Twitter to criticize Vusi, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

The altercation started when Dhlomo mocked Vusi’s style of public speaking and branding, calling him out for trying to sell overpriced business advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Vusi, never one to back down from a challenge, fired back with an explosive tweet calling Sizwe an “unintelligent” individual who lacked business acumen. This led to a back-and-forth that gained significant media attention.

Despite both men being highly successful in their respective fields, their egos clashed in the public eye, with Sizwe often taking digs at Vusi’s content while Vusi fired back with sharp words on his social media platforms.

Though neither of them seems to be backing down, the drama has led many to question whether it’s all just a publicity stunt or if genuine animosity exists between the two. Regardless, it has become one of the most talked-about feuds in South African celebrity circles.

2. Ntsiki Mazwai vs Shimza: The Battle of the Musicians

Ntsiki Mazwai, the outspoken poet and social media personality, is no stranger to controversy.

Her beef with DJ Shimza began when she publicly criticized him on Twitter for his attitude toward other musicians and his perceived lack of respect for the South African music scene. The conflict escalated after Shimza allegedly mocked Mazwai’s career, insinuating that her poetic talents were not on par with his success in the music industry.

Ntsiki, always unafraid to speak her mind, didn’t take kindly to this, responding with scathing comments about Shimza’s arrogance and lack of originality. The back-and-forth on social media gained a lot of traction, with fans of both sides picking their favorite, and many labeling it a “battle of egos.”

The feud took a more personal turn after Ntsiki took aim at Shimza’s romantic life, suggesting that he had been involved in several questionable relationships.

Shimza, in turn, retaliated by accusing Ntsiki of being a “bitter” artist who couldn’t handle his success. Although the two have occasionally appeared to try to make peace, their rivalry remains one of the most bitter and public in the Mzansi entertainment industry.

3. Unathi Nkayi vs Somizi Mhlongo: A Friendship Torn Apart

The relationship between Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo was once a close friendship, with both celebrities sharing a bond on television shows and appearing as a powerhouse duo in the entertainment industry. However, in 2021, the two shocked their fans when news broke of a major fallout between them.

Somizi, who is known for his extravagant personality and flamboyant presence, accused Unathi of being disloyal, claiming that she had badmouthed him behind his back and attempted to sabotage his career.

Unathi, on the other hand, alleged that Somizi had been manipulative and abusive in their friendship.

The breakdown of their relationship came to light during Somizi’s highly publicized divorce from his husband, Mohale Motaung, with Unathi distancing herself from Somizi during the media storm.

Despite their long-standing history together, their animosity played out on social media and in the public eye, leaving fans shocked at the level of toxicity that seemed to have plagued their friendship. Both celebrities have continued to allude to their fractured relationship in interviews, making it clear that their differences were more than just professional disagreements.

4. Penuel The Black Pen vs MacG: The Podcast Drama

The feud between Penuel The Black Pen and MacG (host of the popular podcast “Podcast and Chill with MacG”) is one that has sparked significant debate among South African social media users. Penuel, an influencer and business mogul, has clashed with MacG on various occasions, primarily over differences in opinions and professional conduct.

The beef began when Penuel publicly criticized MacG’s podcast style and some of the controversial statements made by MacG in interviews. MacG, who is known for his blunt and sometimes unfiltered opinions, didn’t take kindly to the criticism, and a Twitter spat ensued.

MacG accused Penuel of being a “clout-chaser” and trying to ride his coattails for attention, while Penuel accused MacG of being unprofessional and too focused on sensationalism for the sake of views.

The drama didn’t stop there; the two continued to throw jabs at each other during podcast episodes and on social media.

Fans of both personalities sided with one or the other, with many finding the ongoing tension entertaining, but others expressing concern about how the feud was affecting their professional reputations.

As of late 2024, the tension between Penuel and MacG remains unresolved, with both continuing to build their individual brands while occasionally taking digs at each other in interviews or on social media platforms.