DURBAN — What was meant to be a glamorous trip to one of South Africa’s biggest lifestyle events, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, turned into a nightmare for a Limpopo woman who found herself stranded in a Durban hotel with just R7.50 in her pocket — and no way to get home.
The young woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, is trending across social media after sharing her heartbreaking — and oddly humorous — ordeal. According to a viral video she posted, she travelled to Durban with a man who promised to take care of everything during their Durban July weekend. But by the next morning, he was gone — leaving her alone in the hotel, broke, and responsible for the entire bill.
In the emotional clip, she claims that the man “ate the cake” — slang many online believe refers to intimacy — in not just one but eight rounds, before snoring loudly and disappearing before sunrise.
“He told me ‘You’re safe with me,’” she says tearfully in the video. “I didn’t know he meant safe from my own money.”
The video, while drawing sympathy from many, has also sparked mixed reactions online. Some have shown concern and support, urging her to report the incident to authorities and seek help. Others, however, have been less empathetic, suggesting she may have gone into the trip with unrealistic expectations and little personal planning.
“Ladies, please stop going on trips with men you barely know,” one user commented. “If you can’t afford the trip yourself, don’t go. These are the results.”
Another social media user added, “It’s really sad. She trusted him, but he clearly had other plans. Durban July should be about celebration and style — not stories like this.”
The incident also raised broader concerns about transactional relationships, exploitation, and safety during high-profile events like the Durban July, which often attract partygoers from all corners of the country. Hotel staff at the unnamed venue reportedly tried to assist the woman as she figured out her next steps, but it’s unclear if police or family have since intervened.
#FlyingNews, the social media page that first reposted the video, has since been flooded with reactions, with many calling for greater awareness and personal safety among young women who attend big events with strangers or recent acquaintances.
As of now, the man involved has not been identified, and the woman’s current whereabouts or condition remain unknown. But her story serves as a powerful — and painful — reminder of the risks people face when putting their trust in the wrong hands.
What started as a weekend of fun, glamour, and celebration at the Durban July ended in tears, betrayal, and a meagre R7.50 — all that was left in her name.
