
WATCH: Shocking! Fan tries to kiss Maphorisa's mid-set
With a drink in one hand and confidence in the other, she leans in toward Phori's face, seemingly going in for a kiss.
In a viral moment that has left social media in heated debate, an overzealous female fan stormed DJ Maphorisa's set, bottle in hand, and attempted to plant a kiss on the Amapiano king mid-performance.
'Imagine seeing your girl doing this…people have no boundaries!' said @SbuWav on X (Twitter).
The incident, which took place over the weekend, was caught on video and quickly made the rounds online, sparking a fierce cultural conversation about boundaries, fan behaviour, and celebrity reactions.
Dj Maphorisa moving away from a lady who attempted to kiss him on stage. Women are something else dammmm
pic.twitter.com/0OCIyCVtA1 — Misinformation Crusher (@MisInfoCrusher) May 18, 2025
The footage shows Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, popularly known as Maphorisa, deep in his set when a visibly excited fan evades security and leaps into the DJ booth.
With a drink in one hand and confidence in the other, she leans in toward Phori's face, seemingly going in for a kiss.
Startled, Maphorisa instinctively flinches and moves to the edge of the booth. Security quickly intervenes, gently escorting the woman from the stage without incident.
Netizens were divided
Some believed Maphorisa handled the situation appropriately, while others accused him of coldness. Comparisons were quickly drawn between Phori and his protégé, Scotts Maphuma, who recently faced backlash for allegedly mistreating fans.
'What DJ Maphorisa did was wrong. He's got the same attitude as that Scotts Maphuma guy. The woman was showing him love — he should have returned the favour by kissing her on the cheek,' wrote one X user.
ALSO READ: Tyla thrilled to host Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2025
But many pushed back
'There is nothing wrong with what he did. If tables were turned, he was gonna be called all sorts of names.'
'Why is it right for female fans to go on stage and kiss DJs, but it's wrong when men try to kiss Lamiez Holworthy or Makhadzi?'
Some went further, warning that public rejection could have lasting effects:
'What DJ Maphorisa did to her can't be undone. Depression loading…'
The moment has brought up bigger questions around celebrity-fan interactions, entitlement, and safety on stage.
Maphorisa, who is no stranger to controversy, has not publicly addressed the incident yet, but his track record suggests he might take to Instagram Live soon. Just last week, in the wake of Scotts Maphuma's online apology, Phori ranted about how podcasts fuel 'salacious drama' that damages artists' reputations.
Di Podcast Di faka up Di bag tsa rona shame 💔 I wish they knew Di damages they causing Emotionally n Financially Mara Fede 🙏🏿 — PorryMaduMoneyDoubleTrouble (@DjMaphorisa) May 8, 2025
Known for being outspoken and unfiltered, DJ Maphorisa has often used his platform to call out trends he disapproves of, ranging from media manipulation to industry exploitation.
Whether or not he speaks up on this particular matter, fans and critics are watching closely.
Meanwhile, with a major show at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria coming up, where he'll share the stage with Kabza De Small, the producer may need to reassess his security setup.
This kiss attempt, while seemingly harmless, has raised alarm bells about access, safety, and the thin line between fan adoration and invasion.
As Twitter debates rage on, one thing's for sure: being a superstar in South Africa means dodging more than just bad press. Sometimes, you've got to dodge kisses, too.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Umhlanga actress inspires youth to be the change
Umhlanga actress inspires youth to be the change 'The Changemakers is a non-profit organisation that I started a year ago. It's dedicated to helping people and inspiring others to do the same. I wanted to do my part to bring about real change in our country,' said Sukuram. Sukuram holds a BCom in accounting but her heart has always belonged to the arts, particularly acting. 'I've loved acting since I was a little girl. It allows people to explore different characters and stories, and connect on a deeper level.' While she's made strides in her acting career, becoming the first South African actress to appear in multiple Zee TV series, it's her work with The Changemakers that speaks volumes about her commitment to social justice. Also read: Greenwood Park youth celebrate leadership, diversity One of the organisation's standout initiatives is a gender-based violence awareness campaign launched in 2023. 'We partnered with EnviroSpecSA to visit schools and teach girls self-defence. Self-defence is a vital skill as it empowers girls to protect themselves and gives them confidence.' Balancing a career in entertainment with activism isn't easy, but Sukuram said time management and passion keep her grounded. 'I create a calendar that accommodates both my acting and NPO responsibilities. I prioritise what matters most, whether it's preparing for a role or planning our next outreach.' Youth Month, she said, is a powerful reminder of what young South Africans are capable of. 'To me, Youth Month acknowledges the important role we play in shaping the future. It's about recognising our potential and giving us the tools to lead.' She encourages other young people to speak up and take action in their communities. Watch: Gen Z shares what Youth Day means to them 30 years into democracy 'Use your voice. Use your talents. Whether it's art, music, or leadership, your passion can create change.' Through The Changemakers, Sukuram hopes to continue addressing a range of issues, from GBV to education, and dreams of one day helping thousands of South Africans. She wants it to be an organisation that's known for getting things done, for being effective and impactful. 'You as the youth of South Africa are the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. Keep pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and striving for greatness. Don't wait for change, be the change.' To follow or support Sukuram's work with The Changemakers, visit her Instagram page: @tekayha\_s. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Reading books is the new sexy
Reading is the new sexy, books are back, and they're printed, from bookstores. Over the past few years people have... Reading is the new sexy, books are back, and they're printed, from bookstores. Over the past few years people have started shelving devices and reverted to turning pages. Social media's full of it with channels like Book Tok and even Instagram turning the well read into sexy, cultural winners. Reading is no longer just a pastime, it's becoming cultural currency and it's hot. A recent article in The Guardian reported that Gen Z is 'flocking to physical books and libraries,' with print books making up 80% of their purchases. Libraries are suddenly popular again, with a 71% increase in foot traffic from young people. They are checking out Jane Austen and Zadie Smith with the same enthusiasm they reserve for the latest Sabrina Carpenter album. Books are no longer just something to read. Literature seems to have become an accessory to trend. Sylvia de Wet, Publishing Director at Penguin Random House South Africa, said the resurgence is tied to a larger cultural change. 'We're seeing a broader cultural return to tactile, meaningful experiences, and books are at the heart of that shift,' she said. 'In a world saturated with digital media, reading offers something both grounding and enriching. For many South Africans, books have become lifestyle statements and a form of self-expression.' Larger cultural change This isn't just about what's on the page, either. Covers matter a lot in a society obsessed with visual appeal. Readers are posing with their current reads like fashion accessories, and it's not by accident. 'It goes back to the aesthetic of how books look and feel,' said Kelly Ansara, Marketing and Publicity Director at Jonathan Ball Publishers. 'Do you feel cool pulling this book out at a trendy bar with a cocktail or coffee shop? It all goes back to how the book looks. But will you also look cute, smart or professional?' Also Read: Chris Carter's 'Death Watcher': Unputdownable Online magazine Rowdy called it 'a sexy renaissance,' with readers turning to romance, fantasy and even classic literature. The visual language of reading has changed. BookTok is awash with soft pastel spines, annotated page flips, and tear-streaked reaction videos. And it's moving books. Ansara said genre fiction and fantasy are seeing the biggest gains. 'Readers aren't afraid of chunky reads or heavy subjects, but they do want to escape sometimes and read fun romance or easy beach read thrillers,' she said. 'However, we still see the big sales in local political biographies or current affairs books. Non-fiction still is the biggest seller in the South African market.' Non-fiction a mainstay in reading De Wet added that nonfiction remains a mainstay, but fiction is fighting back in all the right ways. 'Escapism remains a powerful driver,' she said. 'Irma Joubert's sweeping historical novels, Jackie Phamotse's emotionally charged dramas, Sven Axelrad's whimsical and wildly original narratives, and Martin Steyn and Leon van Nierop's pulse-racing thrillers all show how deeply readers continue to embrace historical fiction, romance, crime and suspense.' It's not just what readers are reading, it's how they're reading. Social media has fused style and substance. 'Readers are no longer passive receivers of content,' said de Wet. 'They write online book reviews, participate in online book discussions, and actively promote the authors and books they love. It becomes part of their own image and identity.' Authors are also being packaged as cultural figures, not just writers. 'An author is no longer just a name on a cover. They're a voice, a personality and often a cultural influencer,' said de Wet. Bookish Cool is amplified by aesthetics According to Rowdy Magazine, this rise in 'bookish cool' isn't new. It has beginnings in past literary movements but is now amplified by aesthetics. The article also noted an 8.2% jump in global book sales in 2020, a trend that's kept steady. The aesthetic angle is important, but so is identity. 'Books also bring the look and feel of aesthetic, so be it expensive designer books, or buckled paperbacks,' said Ansara. 'People are using books to find identity or sense of self, and to connect with others.' This visibility has translated into sales. At Penguin Random House SA, de Wet said they've 'seen growth in key categories,' with international fiction like Jojo Moyes still going strong, and local favourites like Antjie Krog's Blood's Inner Rhyme and Tom Eaton's An Act of Murder drawing readers across the board. Ansara noted that South African fiction sales follow different rules than international ones, and while trends like dragons and enemies-to-lovers romances dominate BookTok abroad, the local market has its own rhythm. 'We have only just stuck to our publishing values that lean neither left nor right,' she said. For publishers, it means adapting. De Wet said discoverability is now digital-first. 'BookTok, Instagram and other social media have become important pathways into reading communities, particularly for younger audiences. We're leaning into these channels while still nurturing traditional bookselling partnerships,' she said. Now Read: Muse in motion: Louisa Treger redefines the creative spark

The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Zee Nxumalo unveils her stunning Mercedes Benz V-Class
South African musician sensation Zee Nxumalo has acquired a new set of wheels, a luxurious carrier van, a Mercedes-Benz V300d. Taking to Instagram, the 'Ngisakuthanda' hitmaker shared a video of herself collecting her new vehicle with her family. 'Please be patient on the road😍 driver is still a LEARNER,' she captioned the video. Nxumalo has positioned herself as one of the country's top hitmakers, with her song topping radio charts and her performing across the country. The 22-year-old powerhouse has been making major moves, from her show-stopping performance at the TikTok Awards, to her critically acclaimed project "Inja Ye Game", released late last year, Her hit single "Ngisakuthanda" featuring TBO secured the No 1 position on Apple Music South Africa across all genres, marking her first-ever solo top placement in a mere six months since its initial release. Her post with her wheels was filled with congratulatory messages from her fans and industry colleagues. 'BIG ZEE 🔥CONGRATULATIONS 🥂🤝🏾,' wrote vocalist Focalistic. 'A family's pride!🙏🏾🙌🏾' wrote presenter Katlego Maboe. 'Girls with Mercs😍🔥🔥🔥' said singer MaWhoo.