‘I was wrong’: Reality TV star Vuyokazi Nciweni’s fiancé apologises amid shocking lobola claims

Vuyokazi Nciweni (Facebook/Vuyokazi Nciweni)

Izingane zeS’thembu star Vuyokazi Nciweni’s fiancé, chef Xolani Sabelo, has issued a public apology after voice notes surfaced online in which he alleged that Nciweni had coerced him into marrying her and paying lobola, the traditional bride price in South African culture.

In his apology video, Sabelo confessed, “I admit I was wrong. I admit I messed up. Every relationship has its challenges. Whatever I said about Vuyo is not true.”

He said that his initial comments about being coerced by Nciweni were made in a moment of vulnerability and emotional strain while he was speaking to the mother of his child.

Sabelo continued, offering his apologies not only to Nciweni and her family but also to his own family and Nciweni’s followers and acknowledging the harm his statements had caused.

“I am sorry to Vuyo and her family. The person who exposed me hoped we would be fine, but it didn’t happen that way. I was stupid, and I spoke to her”, the chef said.

He also clarified that he did not resent his child’s mother and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

“I don’t blame my baby mama but myself,” he said, acknowledging that he had learned from his mistake and was ready to accept any judgement from the public.

In response to the allegations, Nciweni addressed the situation in an Instagram post: “I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart, as recent events have deeply affected me.”

The reality TV star expressed shock and sadness upon learning of troubling accusations circulating in voice notes from her fiancé, in which he suggested that she had coerced him into paying lobola.

“These accusations have brought to light a side of him that I was previously unaware of or perhaps chose not to see,” she continued. I am devastated by the things said, and I am struggling to process the emotional impact of this.”

Nciweni’s engagement to Sabelo follows a highly publicised breakup with Mpumelelo Mseleku, which unfolded on Izingane zeS’thembu.

In the show’s season finale, Nciweni said that she ended her relationship with Mpumelelo, who sought to marry another woman as his first wife before marrying Nciweni.

Nciweni and the aspiring polygamist share two children. This move ultimately led to their split. Nciweni and Sabelo’s engagement initially captured the hearts of fans when they announced their union in August.

It marked a fresh start after Nciweni’s previous relationship with Mpumelelo, son of prominent polygamist Musa Mseleku.

Nciweni celebrated the engagement on social media with photos from their ceremony, where she wore a vibrant pink dress and a white towel embroidered with “Becoming Mrs S.”

The post she deleted amid the scandal was captioned “A promise kept” with heart and ring emojis, symbolising the beginning of what fans hoped would be a happy new chapter.

However, just weeks after the engagement, voice notes of Sabelo allegedly expressing regret over their relationship began circulating on social media.

The chef concluded the video by saying that the general public can say whatever they would like to say, but he has “accepted [responsibility].”