South African content creator and businesswoman Mihlali Ndamase took to social media on October 1, 2026, to forcefully deny rumours linking her romantically to two late Zimbabwean tycoons, Wicknell Chivayo and Ginimbi.
Filmed at night from inside a car, a clearly frustrated Mihlali addressed her audience directly in a selfie-style video, warning that the fabricated stories were beginning to wear on her patience.
“It’s just kind of alarming, and it is definitely starting to rub me the wrong way that certain individuals can literally sit behind a keyboard and decide to create a narrative, a false narrative about me,” she said.
Mihlali Sets the Record Straight
Beyond the video, Mihlali published a lengthy written statement that quickly went viral across South African social media. In it, she was unequivocal:
“I’ve NEVER dated Wicknell nor have I met him, and I’ve also NEVER dated Ginimbi. I don’t understand why some of you are so quick to run with narratives created by that imbecile on Twitter, knowing very well he only uses my name for relevance.”
She pointed out that Chivayo himself had publicly stated before his death that he had never met her, yet the rumours continued to spread.
Dismissing the gossip as “the lowest form of journalism,” Mihlali directed her frustration at bloggers and anonymous accounts she accused of trading on her name for engagement.
She was equally firm about where her priorities lie. “I will always choose to protect my peace over entertaining every rumour, but protecting my peace does not mean allowing people to rewrite my character,” she wrote, urging those involved to find more productive things to do.
Watch the video that sparked the conversation here.
Mihlali says y’all must keep her name out your mouths she does not know Tony or Wicknell and everybody else you guys say shes dating she only knows leeroy. 😔may wicknell RIP😔 https://t.co/SdWnsx6oEB
— Salties_unmasked (@Saltiesunmasked) October 1, 2026
Netizens Divided Over Her Response
Social media users were split on whether Mihlali was right to address the speculation publicly or whether her response gave the rumours more oxygen than they deserved.
@Senthaaaaa: “She isn’t wrong. Musa and all of you engagement-farm off her name. These little makeshift gossip blogs wouldn’t exist without Mihlali’s name.”
@Gugu_le2: “She’s extra. Why does she feel the need to address the social media rumours?”
@causeimcocoa: “Mind you, Wicknell publicly stated that he never met her, BUT KE narrative must be pushed…”
The reaction online reflected a broader tension familiar to high-profile figures: whether silence preserves dignity or simply allows false stories to grow unchallenged.
