Reality TV personality Mpumelelo “Sbindi” Mseleku, best known from Izingane Zesthembu, has found himself at the centre of intense criticism after paying lobola for his new girlfriend, Amahle Gasela. While the move might have been expected to spark celebration, many social media users are instead questioning Mpumelelo’s priorities, citing his financial instability and strained family dynamics.
The eldest son of polygamist Musa Mseleku, Mpumelelo has long been in the public eye due to his appearance on the family’s reality show. However, his recent decision to pay lobola for Amahle has ignited a wave of online outrage. On the most recent episode, viewers were shown the lobola negotiations, prompting concerns about his financial situation—particularly as he still lives at home and allegedly struggles to cover daycare expenses for his three children.
A viewer on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), under the handle @Unuty_, criticised the move:
“The ‘Lion of Mzumbe’ doesn’t have a house and can’t pay daycare fees. So Amahle is supposed to live where? At Flo’s crumbling house with broken ceilings?”
Amahle Gasela, who was introduced to the public by Mpumelelo on Instagram, has also drawn criticism, especially after she seemed to throw shade at his other girlfriend, Tirelo Kale. The couple’s whirlwind relationship—only five months old—has left many wondering about Mpumelelo’s commitment to his long-term partner Tirelo, whom he has dated for four years and who was seemingly blindsided by the lobola payment for Amahle.
Social media erupted with debates over Mpumelelo’s choices and his treatment of the women in his life. One user, @nthabeemosh, slammed Amahle’s decision:
“Now the whole world knows your purity status because you want to marry a broke little boy? That’s embarrassing.”
Another commenter, @chuma_maqina, mocked Tirelo for previously shading another partner about not being the first wife, only to be “bumped down the ranks” herself.
@Zintle_Tony raised concerns about Mpumelelo’s standards:
“He said he couldn’t lobola Vuyo first because she wasn’t a virgin, but now he’s lobola’d a non-virgin?”
Many also defended Vuyokazi, the mother of two of Mpumelelo’s children, praising her for walking away from the “toxic Mseleku family.” One user wrote:
“Big respect to her for choosing to love herself.”
Some questioned why Mpumelelo’s father, Musa Mseleku, was so involved in his son’s lobola negotiations when the resources were allegedly not even coming from Mpumelelo himself.
The situation has raised broader questions about the authenticity of the show, with some viewers accusing the Mseleku family of acting for ratings. Others fear that Amahle may be unaware of what lies ahead and worry she may fall pregnant before fully understanding the dynamics of the Mseleku household.
As the debate rages on, Mpumelelo remains silent on the criticism. Meanwhile, his sister Abongwe continues to be celebrated for her level-headedness, recently treating their parents to lunch—offering a stark contrast to the drama surrounding her brother.
Whether reality or performance, viewers remain divided on the Mseleku family’s actions—and Mpumelelo’s future as a polygamist.