A TikTok star born from honesty
When Chantal Naidu posted her first TikTok video on 9 April 2022, she had no idea she would build a community that now stretches to over 153,000 followers worldwide. Known online as That Aunty From Tongaat, her success rests on one simple rule: be real.
“I did not want an alter ego. The only way to be unique is to be yourself,” she explained. Her feed captures everything from dancing in her kitchen to cooking traditional meals, laughing with her family, and speaking openly about life’s struggles.
Anchored by family
Naidu has been married to her husband, Rhyne, for 28 years. He works offshore as an oil rig inspector, often away for long periods, yet together they have raised three children: Tia, Tyril, and Tyreece. They are her biggest supporters and her most honest critics. “They remind me to laugh at myself and tell me if a dance trend is not for me,” she laughed.
Her family often features in her content, although she gives them freedom to choose. “If they want to join in, they do. If not, they are still cheering me on.”
Finding joy through hardship
Naidu’s content has often become a source of comfort for her community, especially during Tongaat’s toughest moments. She documented the April 2022 floods and the June 2024 tornado, sharing both the devastation and the resilience that followed.
Her own health has been an even bigger challenge. Naidu lives with benign intracranial hypertension, a condition that led to brain surgery and the placement of a shunt. Every two weeks the shunt drains, bringing days of vertigo and illness. She also experiences vision loss, tinnitus, and facial paralysis from Bell’s palsy.
Instead of hiding these struggles, she embraces them openly. “It is part of my story now. You cannot let life stop you,” she said.
@thatauntyfromtongaat #thatauntyfromtongaat #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #daddy #rhino ♬ original sound – Chantal Naidu
Beyond TikTok: supporting women in need
Naidu’s impact extends beyond social media. As leader of the Rapid Response Team North, she supports survivors of gender-based violence and domestic abuse. In 2024, she hosted her first free Women’s Day event for tornado survivors, focusing on mental health. In 2025, she expanded it to include resources and workshops for women across Tongaat.
Her dream is to take these events nationwide. “My husband and I cover the costs ourselves. With sponsors, I could reach so many more women,” she explained.
Living authentically in the spotlight
Fame has brought recognition and scrutiny. Naidu is often recognised in public, yet she remains protective of her children’s safety. She has also learned to deal with criticism. “Not everyone will like what you do, and that is okay. You cannot please everyone,” she said.
Her biggest message is one of courage. “Be unapologetically you. It is never too late to start. Better to try and fail than fail to try. With the right motivation, anything is possible.”
From her Tongaat kitchen to phones across the world, Chantal Naidu shows that resilience and authenticity can inspire change both online and off.
Featured Image: Chantal Naidu
Source: IOL
