South African television personality Minnie Dlamini has launched a high-profile R2.5 million lawsuit against controversial podcasters MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka. The legal action emerges from alleged hate speech, harassment, and gender-based discrimination during episodes of the widely watched Podcast and Chill with MacG.
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The Lawsuit Claims
Filed in the Equality Court, Dlamini’s lawsuit accuses the Podcast and Chill hosts of making degrading and misogynistic remarks regarding her personal life and character. Notable among these are comments about her private parts’ hygiene and insinuations that she is a gold-digger targeting wealthy men. Dlamini describes these remarks as hate speech and harassment that have caused emotional distress and harm to her dignity.
She is seeking:
- R1 million in damages for impairment of dignity and emotional harm.
- An additional R1.5 million to be paid to a women’s organisation, Women for Change.
- A court-approved public apology from MacG and Sol.
- Completion of 50 hours of gender sensitisation training and 100 hours of unpaid community service in organisations combatting gender-based violence.
Background and Previous Incidents
Dlamini states that harassment by MacG and Sol began as early as December 2021 and intensified following her public support for actress Amanda du-Pont in a separate gender-based violence case. The podcast has a history of controversy due to perceived misogynistic, homophobic, and transphobic remarks.
While MacG issued an apology for his comments, Dlamini rejected it as insincere and insufficient, emphasizing accountability over public relations gestures.
Lebo M Foundation’s Support
The Lebo M Foundation, headed by renowned producer and philanthropist Lebo M, has publicly backed Dlamini’s stand. Lebo M called the lawsuit a fight not just for Minnie, but for South African women facing daily fear and discrimination.
“We cannot allow gender-based violence and degradation of women to be normalised, hidden behind entertainment,” Lebo M said in a statement.
Government and Civil Society Reaction
Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike condemned the podcast’s remarks as a form of verbal gender-based violence and public shaming. The matter was referred to the South African Human Rights Commission and other institutions for investigation.
The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, MP has noted with poignant disgust, the callous utterances by podcaster Macgyver Mukwevho, directed at media personality Minnie Dlamini during an April 2025 episode on the platform Podcast and Chill.
Women’s groups like Women for Change have also voiced strong support, criticising the podcast hosts for promoting harmful stereotypes and toxic masculinity.
“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.
Potential Legal and Social Impact
Legal experts note that the case could set an important precedent in the digital media space, addressing the fine line between entertainment and hate speech. The outcome may influence regulations and accountability for online content creators, especially in the rapidly evolving South African podcast industry.
Protecting Human Rights
Minnie Dlamini’s lawsuit is more than a personal grievance. It represents a broader call for respect, dignity, and justice for women in public discourse, especially in digital media. The backing from influential individuals and organisations underscores the significance of this battle against gender-based harassment and digital hate speech in South Africa.
