Comedian Faces Backlash Over Hurtful Remarks

Mongezi “Tol A$$ Mo” Mahlangu, a well-known comedian, has publicly apologized to traditional healer and DJ Gogo Skhotheni following backlash over comments he made on *Podcast and Chill*. His remarks implied that the use of *muti* (traditional medicine) during pregnancy may have contributed to the death of Skhotheni’s son, Monde Jnr, who passed away in September 2024 after nearly two years in ICU.

Skhotheni, deeply hurt by these comments, responded via TikTok, calling out Tol A$$ Mo for speaking insensitively about her late child. She expressed her anger, stating, “It’s always these ones with court cases speaking nonsense about my son. Leave my son alone and talk about me.

Husband Joins in Condemning the Comments

Her husband, Monde Shange, also took to social media to express his outrage, calling the comedian’s remarks “reckless and inhumane.” He emphasized how painful the loss of their son had been for their family and criticized Tol A$$ Mo for making unfounded claims about traditional healing practices.

“There are lines that should never be crossed, and one of them is speaking about the loss of someone’s child with disrespect and ignorance. To suggest that my wife’s work as a traditional healer had anything to do with our son’s passing is not only false but deeply offensive,” Shange stated.

Public Apology and Pledge to Do Better

Following the backlash, Tol A$$ Mo issued a formal apology on Instagram. He acknowledged that his words were insensitive and expressed regret for any pain he had caused. In his statement, he admitted that he had spoken without considering the depth of grief that comes with losing a child.

“I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for my words. In the heat of the moment, I spoke without truly understanding the pain of losing a child. I deeply regret any hurt I may have caused,” he wrote.

He further stated that he takes full accountability for his words and pledged to be more mindful in the future. The comedian even went as far as to say he would not celebrate his 39th birthday until Gogo Skhotheni forgave him.

Social Media Reactions and Public Response

Tol A$$ Mo’s apology has received mixed reactions. Some social media users appreciated his acknowledgment of wrongdoing, while others criticized him for making the comments in the first place. Many believe that conversations about traditional healing should be handled with respect, especially when discussing personal tragedies.

This incident highlights the sensitivity needed when discussing personal and cultural matters in public forums. While the apology may help mend relations, it remains to be seen whether Gogo Skhotheni and her family will accept it.

Gogo Skhotheni’s Journey of Healing

Despite the controversy, Skhotheni continues to share her healing journey and spiritual growth following the loss of her son. She previously mentioned that although 2024 was the most challenging year of her life, it also strengthened her faith.

This situation serves as a reminder that public figures must be cautious about their words, as they have real consequences on people’s lives.