Media personality Minnie Dlamini rejects MacG’s apology, vows legal action

Despite MacG’s recent public apology, media personality Minnie Dlamini has firmly rejected it — declaring her intention to take legal action against the podcaster instead.

This comes after MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho issued a public apology to Dlamini following widespread backlash over offensive comments he made. The controversy erupted during an episode of Podcast and Chill, where MacG and co-host Sol Phenduka discussed Dlamini’s breakup with her former partner, Dr Brian Monaisa, in a derogatory manner.

The conversation rapidly veered into controversial territory.

"Why can’t she keep a man? There’s got to be something wrong with her — maybe her c**chie smells or something," MacG said during the discussion, adding: "It happens, man, especially with the hot girls."

MacG’s remarks quickly drew widespread backlash, with social media users, advocacy groups, TV channels like Moja Love, and even Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, condemning his behaviour and slamming him for using offensive language against women.

Letsike cautioned that such remarks go beyond being merely offensive, stating they amount to a form of online gender-based violence, as defined in South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

“This incident is not a harmless joke or casual banter – it is a harrowing demonstration of online gender-based violence,” she said.

The deputy minister voiced her disgust, describing MacG actions as part of a recurring pattern of misogynistic behaviour. She further revealed that multiple women have reportedly initiated legal proceedings against him.

“Women cannot be reduced to vulgar slurs and the objectification of the female body, as this is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect and consequently violence,” she said.

Moja Love strongly condemned MacG's remarks, criticising his continued use of offensive language towards women. In a statement, the channel said, “MacG’s persistent use of derogatory language towards women, reducing them to vulgar slurs and objectifying their bodies is not just offensive, it is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect.” They added that such conduct has no place in society or the media, “where voices should uplift, not degrade.”

Women For Change also condemned MacG's comments about Minnie Dlamini, describing them as “misogynistic and degrading.” The organisation expressed that his remarks were “not only vile and dehumanising but also reflect the deeply rooted toxic masculinity that continues to endanger and humiliate women in South Africa.”

Macg found himself in legal trouble before. In October 2024, he was hit with a R13 million lawsuit after spreading harmful rumours about amapiano artist Nkosazana Daughter.

During a past broadcast, MacG insinuated that Nkosazana Daughter had an affair with musician Master KG and claimed that her child was fathered by him, not her then-partner, Sir Trill.

MacG eventually apologised publicly after Nkosazana Daughter’s family denied the claims, expressing regret for making assumptions based on a photo of the child. "We were wrong. She looks just like Sir Trill," he said in his apology. However, he also insisted that he had information from a “credible source” claiming that Sir Trill was not financially supporting the child.

In the podcast episode that aired on May 12, MacG issued an apology to all the women offended by his comments about Minnie Dlamini, saying it was never his intention to upset anyone.

“I want to apologise first and foremost to all the female chillers and just women in general in South Africa that I might have offended with that comment, that was not the intention. You know, we never say things to offend people.”

He also invited Dlamini to join him on the show, saying she is “more than welcome” to come on so they can “squash it” once and for all.

“This thing started on the podcast, let’s end it on the podcast. She said some things, I’ve said some things, let’s squash it once and for all, bro,” said MacG.

Dlamini recounted her shock and anguish as she witnessed her name, body, and dignity being publicly torn apart, calling MacG’s remarks vile, degrading, and utterly unjustifiable.

“An apology, offered only after the damage is done and reputations are on the line, is not a meaningful act of accountability,  especially when it comes from a platform that has made misogyny part of its brand. This was not a lapse in judgment. It was a reflection of values consistently displayed and defended by the show and its host.”

She added that she will be taking legal action: “I will continue to pursue legal recourse. Because as a public figure and a mother, I must act not only for myself but for every woman whose dignity is violated in the name of content and entertainment,” she added.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za