Minnie Dlamini Sues MacG and Sol Phenduka for R2.5 Million
Last updated: 7 September 2026
South African media personality Minnie Dlamini is seeking R2.5 million from podcast personalities MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka, alleging that comments made on Podcast and Chill with MacG amounted to hate speech, gender-based harassment and unfair discrimination.
The case is before the Equality Court sitting at the Johannesburg High Court.
Dlamini has now detailed what she says was the financial and professional fallout from the controversy, including the alleged collapse of a R897,000 Nivea campaign.
According to a 79-page statement filed in the case, Dlamini claims the April 2025 podcast controversy damaged her reputation and contributed to the loss of a commercial campaign that had already progressed through negotiations and planning.
What is Minnie Dlamini claiming?
Dlamini is seeking R2.5 million in the Equality Court proceedings.
The amount is divided between:
- R1 million for Dlamini, which she seeks as compensation for impairment of dignity and related harm.
- R1.5 million to be paid to Women for Change, a nonprofit organisation.
The legal action also seeks additional remedies, including a court-approved apology, gender-sensitisation measures and community service connected to gender-based violence work.
The case was initially launched in August 2025, when Dlamini accused MacG and Phenduka of making degrading and discriminatory remarks about her during Podcast and Chill.
Minnie Dlamini says she lost a R897,000 Nivea campaign
One of the most significant claims in Dlamini’s latest court statement concerns a Nivea campaign that she says was worth R897,000.
Dlamini says she had an established relationship with Nivea dating back to around 2023. By late 2024 and early 2025, she was involved in campaigns promoting products including Nivea Radiant & Beauty, Even Glow and Rich Nourishing Lotion.
According to her statement, Dentsu Creative CPT was involved in coordinating the campaign and had provided her team with feedback on scripts, captions, voice-overs and product positioning.
In April 2025, Dentsu allegedly presented her team with a campaign proposal involving social media content, appearances and exclusivity in the body-care category.
A written influencer agreement was subsequently entered into, with the campaign valued at R897,000, according to Dlamini’s statement.
The proposed work reportedly included:
- Four Instagram Reels
- Three half-day mall activations
- A half-day e-commerce appearance
- Body-care category exclusivity
The payments were reportedly structured over an eight-month period.
Mall of Africa activation went ahead
Despite the controversy surrounding the podcast, Dlamini says one part of the Nivea campaign proceeded.
A Mall of Africa activation took place on 1 May 2025, according to the court statement reported by Sunday Times.
Dlamini says that after this activation, however, other aspects of the campaign began to change.
She claims meetings were cancelled or postponed and that her representatives repeatedly sought clarity from Dentsu about the future of the campaign.
The situation eventually led to the campaign being discontinued, according to Dlamini.
Dlamini disputes the “budget change” explanation
Dlamini says she was ultimately informed that the campaign would not continue with her because of a budget change.
However, she disputes that this was the full explanation for what happened.
According to her statement, the campaign had already progressed significantly, with negotiations taking place, commercial terms discussed and work already performed.
Dlamini argues that the timing of the decision, coming after the podcast controversy, raises questions about whether the controversy affected the brand relationship.
The claim remains an allegation and has not been finally determined by the court.
What happened on Podcast and Chill?
The legal dispute centres on comments made during an episode of Podcast and Chill with MacG that aired in April 2025.
Dlamini alleges that the comments were degrading and discriminatory and that they amounted to hate speech and gender-based harassment.
The controversy attracted significant attention online and led to wider discussion around misogyny, gender-based commentary and the responsibilities of podcasters and digital media personalities.
Dlamini says the impact went beyond social media criticism and affected her professional reputation and ability to secure brand work.
MacG, however, has disputed aspects of Dlamini’s case.
In an affidavit, MacG reportedly said the comments were speculative rather than statements of known fact or belief and said they were not intended to cause harm.
MacG and Sol Phenduka’s response
The defendants have not simply accepted Dlamini’s claims.
MacG has proposed measures including gender-sensitisation and mediation as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.
Phenduka has also indicated that he is willing to apologise.
Phenduka previously publicly linked his suspension from Kaya FM to the legal dispute involving Dlamini.
The parties’ positions remain part of the ongoing court proceedings.
Why the R897,000 Nivea claim matters
The Nivea dispute is significant because it puts a specific financial figure on the alleged professional consequences of the podcast controversy.
Dlamini’s case is not simply about offensive comments, according to her court papers. She argues that the controversy had consequences for her reputation, dignity and livelihood, particularly because her career depends heavily on relationships with commercial brands.
The alleged R897,000 campaign therefore forms an important part of her broader argument about the consequences she says followed the podcast episode.
However, the court will ultimately have to determine whether the alleged conduct amounted to unlawful discrimination or harassment and whether the claimed damages and remedies are justified.
What happens next in the Minnie Dlamini case?
The matter remains before the Equality Court in Johannesburg.
Court papers and answering affidavits have continued into 2026, with both sides presenting their positions.
At this stage, no final judgment has been issued determining liability or awarding Dlamini the R2.5 million she is seeking.
The court will ultimately have to consider the allegations, the responses from MacG and Phenduka and the evidence presented by the respective parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money is Minnie Dlamini claiming from MacG and Sol Phenduka?
Minnie Dlamini is seeking R2.5 million. She is seeking R1 million for herself and R1.5 million to be paid to Women for Change.
What happened to Minnie Dlamini’s Nivea campaign?
Dlamini alleges that a Nivea campaign worth R897,000 collapsed after the controversy surrounding comments made on Podcast and Chill with MacG. She disputes the explanation that the campaign was cancelled because of a budget change.
What is Minnie Dlamini accusing MacG and Sol Phenduka of?
Dlamini has accused the podcasters of hate speech, gender-based harassment and unfair discrimination over comments made during the podcast.
Has MacG admitted the allegations?
No. MacG has disputed aspects of Dlamini’s case and has argued that the comments were speculative rather than statements of known fact or belief.
Has the court awarded Minnie Dlamini R2.5 million?
No. The case is ongoing and the R2.5 million is the amount Dlamini is seeking, not an amount already awarded by the court.
The bottom line
Minnie Dlamini’s latest court statement has added a significant financial dimension to her dispute with MacG and Sol Phenduka.
Her claim that a R897,000 Nivea campaign collapsed after the podcast controversy is now one of the key elements of her argument that the fallout affected her career and livelihood.
MacG and Phenduka have disputed aspects of the allegations and have proposed measures including an apology, mediation and gender-sensitisation.
For now, the matter remains before the Equality Court, and the allegations have yet to be finally determined.
