South African TV presenter and media personality Minnie Dlamini has opened up about the financial and emotional impact of comments made about her on Podcast and Chill with MacG. In a statement submitted to the High Court in Johannesburg Minnie detailed how the fallout from the podcast episode allegedly affected both her career and confidence. According to Dlamini, the controversy cost her a lucrative R897,000 Nivea campaign and left her feeling “blackballed” by the entertainment industry.
Minnie had reportedly been working with Nivea since 2023, promoting products including Radiant & Beauty, Even Glow and Rich Nourishing Lotion. By the end of 2024, her team had finalised an influencer agreement worth R897,000. The eight-month campaign was set to include Instagram reels, mall activations and e-commerce appearances. However, after the controversial Podcast and Chill with MacG, Dlamini says Nivea cancelled the campaign, citing “budget changes” as the reason.
Dlamini disputes this explanation, claiming that the campaign budget had already been approved and that Nivea continued working with other South African influencers during the same period. For the media personality, the impact went far beyond losing a major brand deal.
Dlamini told the court that the situation severely affected her confidence and mental wellbeing. According to her statement, she spent about a month at home because she was overwhelmed by anxiety and feared facing the public. Her mother, Gloria Queen Dlamini, also submitted a witness statement describing an emotional phone call she received from Minnie shortly after the comments were made. During the call, Minnie allegedly broke down and asked, “Mommy, what am I going to do? How am I going to face the world?”
Dlamini said she felt isolated and humiliated after the incident, despite spending more than a decade building her reputation in the South African entertainment industry. She claims the experience damaged both her dignity and professional standing.
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Minnie is seeking R2.5 million in damages from podcast host MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho. Of the amount, R1.5 million would go to Women for Change, a non-profit organisation focused on gender-based violence and femicide, while R1 million is being claimed for Dlamini’s personal damages, including the alleged impact on her dignity and career.
In his answering affidavit, MacG disputed parts of Dlamini’s case, describing some of her claims as “speculative rather than factual”. He also pointed out that he had previously apologised and said he was willing to participate in mediation. MacG has further offered to complete 50 hours of court-approved gender-sensitisation training.
However, Dlamini maintains that apologies alone are not enough and that greater accountability is needed when women in the public eye are subjected to degrading comments. The legal battle continues as both sides present their arguments before the Equality Court.
