When celebrity headlines hit close to home
South Africans are no strangers to celebrity stories becoming dinner table debates. This week, radio personality and podcaster Sol Phenduka added fuel to one of those conversations by urging couples to talk more deeply before getting married. His comments were sparked by the very public legal battle involving global music star Black Coffee, a case that has once again pulled private relationships into the harsh glare of the public eye.
Rather than gossiping about court papers or personal details, Phenduka took a different route. He used the moment to highlight what many couples avoid until it is too late. The uncomfortable conversations about money, expectations, power, and what happens when love meets legal reality.
Marriage is not just romance
Speaking candidly, Phenduka suggested that too many people rush into marriage armed with feelings but not enough facts. In his view, love alone does not prepare you for contracts, shared assets, or the possibility that things might go wrong.
This struck a chord in South Africa, where marriage is often wrapped in cultural expectation and family pressure. Lobola negotiations, wedding celebrations, and community approval can sometimes overshadow the quieter but more important discussions about finances, independence, and boundaries.
Why Black Coffee’s case changed the tone
Black Coffee’s ongoing legal dispute has been widely reported, not because of sensational drama, but because of what it represents. A reminder that even powerful, successful people can find themselves entangled in complex personal and legal matters.
Phenduka did not weigh in on the details of the case. Instead, he pointed to it as an example of why couples should treat marriage as both an emotional and legal commitment. His message was simple. If you cannot talk honestly before marriage, the law may end up doing the talking for you later.
Let's normalise asking our partners if any lobola deposit had been paid for them before and that relationship eventually ended .
Ngoba, y'all end marrying people who are technically already married.
— Thandubuntu (@Solphendukaa) January 22, 2026
Social media reacts with honesty and humour
On social media, the reaction was immediate. Many users praised Phenduka for saying what they felt but struggled to articulate. Others joked about needing a lawyer at the engagement stage. Some shared personal stories of how financial silence caused strain in their own marriages.
What stood out was how the conversation shifted from celebrity watching to self-reflection. It became less about Black Coffee and more about ordinary people asking themselves difficult questions.
A lesson beyond fame
Phenduka’s comments landed because they were not judgmental. They were practical. In a country where divorce rates continue to rise and financial stress weighs heavily on households, his advice felt grounded and timely.
The takeaway is not fear. It is preparation. Marriage, as Phenduka reminded listeners, is not just about who you love, but how well you understand each other when life becomes complicated.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: the journalist dj
