The relationship between Samkelo Shezi, alleged son of Afrotainment boss DJ Tira, and social media personality Mbali Dlamini has sparked intense online debate after Dlamini opened up about what she claims was a “fake” romance created mainly for content. Speaking candidly during an interview on Matthew Lani’s YouTube podcast *Hang Outs*, Dlamini shared details that paint a very different picture from what the public believed.
The couple made headlines in late 2025 when news broke that they had allegedly undergone a lobola ceremony, an important cultural step that traditionally signifies serious intentions toward marriage. However, according to Dlamini, not everything that played out on social media reflected reality.
News subscription service
Dlamini revealed that she first met Samkelo at DJ Tira’s home after being sent there to collect gifts for promoting Bearings Cider. By that time, they had already been communicating through direct messages. Their connection soon developed into what appeared to be a romantic relationship, but she said it quickly became clear that something was off.
“One of the biggest red flags,” Dlamini explained, “was that we were never alone. There were always cameras following us around.” She alleged that their time together felt more like a production set than a genuine relationship, with cameramen constantly present to capture content. Whenever she questioned this, Samkelo reportedly avoided clarifying whether their relationship was real or purely for content creation.
She further claimed that despite portraying a loving couple online, Samkelo refused to openly admit that their interactions were staged. “He would pretend to love me, but he didn’t,” she said, adding that she often felt emotionally manipulated.
One of the most shocking revelations from the interview was Dlamini’s claim that they never had an intimate relationship. According to her, whenever she raised concerns about the lack of physical intimacy, Samkelo would dismiss the issue and turn it back on her, questioning her priorities. She also alleged that she later learned he behaved the same way with other women he had previously filmed content with.
Dlamini said the situation took an emotional toll on her, especially when private conversations between them were allegedly leaked online. “I thought I was speaking to my partner, not someone who would allow our private moments to be shared,” she said. She also described how Samkelo would frequently leave her alone for hours, sometimes returning the next morning with friends, making jokes at her expense, and never apologising. According to her, he broke up with her multiple times, further adding to her emotional distress.
Perhaps the most controversial claim was that even the lobola negotiations were staged. Dlamini insisted that the much-publicised lobola was merely content created for social media and not a genuine cultural process. This contradicts earlier claims from Samkelo, who reportedly said he went broke after paying lobola.
Despite everything, Dlamini admitted that Samkelo did show moments of support, particularly when she faced harsh criticism online. “When the internet became vile, he stood by me,” she said.
The interview has left social media divided, with many questioning the ethics of staging relationships and cultural practices for views, while others await a response from Samkelo or DJ Tira’s camp.
