Following the recent passing of the multi-award-winning artist Zahara, South African celebrity Somizi Mhlongo had a lot to say in his renowned “Bathroom Talk” series which he used to reflect on how society respects death over life.

Mhlongo reflected on how society celebrates celebrities after they die but often mock them while they are alive.

“I thought should anything happen to Zahara, God forbid, should Zahara not make it, I know for sure that Zahara is going to be an overnight hero, an overnight icon. People are going to be saying how the industry has lost an icon and how she was amazing.”

“And yet we all know that in reality, she was one of the most mocked personalities, people celebrated her downfall, people used to make fun of her situations.

“We knew that she had her own fair share of hardships, but she was hardly given her flowers.”

Mhlongo urged his viewers to imagine a world where life is celebrated, respected, and not taken for granted. Mhlongo questioned the societal tendency to only acknowledge and honour individuals after their passing, emphasizing the need to appreciate and respect life in the present.

“We don’t know about death. We don’t know what happens on the other side, but yai, you have to die for you to be acknowledged, more respected, honoured and to be given your flowers, literally and figuratively.”

“Sies, if that’s how we going to be, keep your flowers, I will buy myself flowers. It’s the very same people whose hearts are now broken.”

“Are they broken because they’ve lost someone that know they can’t mock anymore or because they feel guilty that they mistreated you?”

Mhlongo spoke of how Zahara cried for help while she was still alive, but “hardly anybody jumped”.

“We’ll be flying to Eastern Cape, if she is buried there, when we’ve never been to her house, when we’ve never made an effort to check up on her.”

Mhlongo pledged to make positive changes, advocating for a shift in societal attitudes toward celebrities and emphasizing the importance of expressing appreciation and support while people are still alive.

“We human beings, including myself, are not okay, but we still have time to change that and the time is now.”

The comments came flooding in.

@makeupgurubongi said: “It’s like you were in my mind, Thanks so much for this video industry people are so hypocritical @somizi ???????????????????????? Ngiyabonga”

@brendamtambo commented “???????? this is so true and sad. I am sure we can do better as a country.”

Main image: Instagram @somizi