MacG’s Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage in South Africa – FASHION FORCE AFRICA
MacG faces backlash from Parliament and the public over sexist comments about Minnie Dlamini. South Africa condemns the normalization of gender-based violence in media.
Podcast Scandal: MacG Called Out for Misogyny by SA Government
Minnie Dlamini Defended as Parliament Labels MacG’s Comments Gender-Based Violence
Published: May 2, 2025 | By: By News & Entertainment
South African podcast host MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho is facing a wave of backlash after making derogatory comments about TV personality Minnie Dlamini during a recent episode of his show, Podcast and Chill. His remarks—which referenced Dlamini’s personal life and speculated about her private parts—have been deemed not only disrespectful but also a form of online gender-based violence.
The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities released a strongly worded official statement condemning the incident. The controversy has reignited national conversations about misogyny in media and the responsibilities of content creators in South Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
In a public media statement issued by Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike described MacG’s comments as “vomitous” and “a constitutional violation” of Minnie Dlamini’s rights.
“As the Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, we welcome the immediate and overwhelmingly condemnatory response by some followers of the Podcast and Chill and some South Africans to Mr Mukwevho’s vitriol. There is no room in our democratic Republic for any misogynistic and demeaning utterances that perpetuate patriarchal iterations of gender relations. We are encouraged that within the ranks of South African society, we have persons who are sober in mind to call out abhorrent tendencies that are a distraction from achieving gender equality.” said Deputy Minister Letsike.
She further emphasized that such comments fall within the legal framework of online gender-based violence (GBV), as defined in the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (Gender-Based Violence and Femicide).
The Deputy Minister also criticized the normalization of vulgar content that objectifies women under the guise of entertainment, calling for Moja Love (the channel that often features MacG) and other media platforms to ensure accountability.
“The walk must match the talk, if we are to enact any meaningful and progressive social change,” she concluded.
Public response to MacG’s comments has been fierce. On X (formerly Twitter), thousands of users expressed their disgust, demanding accountability:
- “MacG needs to be pulled off air. This is not entertainment; it’s hate speech against women.”
- “We demand respect for women in media. His remarks are violence disguised as ‘locker room talk’.”
TikTok also saw a surge of videos under hashtags like #CancelMacG, #RespectMinnie, and #PodcastAndChillExposed. Influencers, women’s rights activists, and even entertainers voiced their support for Minnie Dlamini.
Though she has not responded directly to MacG, Minnie Dlamini took to Instagram with a dignified message:
“My career has never been, and will never be, defined by my relationship status. I was Minnie before marriage, and I will be Minnie long after my divorce.”
Her post was widely shared, and many South Africans praised her poise and strength in the face of such a personal attack.
This incident has revived important questions about media ethics and the line between free speech and hate speech. Gender activists argue that misogyny is deeply embedded in South Africa’s entertainment industry and that MacG’s podcast is just one example of a larger problem.
The Ministry’s statement called on content platforms—especially those with large youth audiences—to take concrete steps to regulate harmful discourse.
MacG’s comments have sparked outrage not only among everyday South Africans but also from within Parliament. This moment stands as a pivotal point in holding media figures accountable for perpetuating gender-based violence. As the pressure builds, South Africa watches closely to see whether broadcasters and platforms will back their public stances with decisive action.
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