Annie Mthembu On Life After Her Divorce: "My Kids Are Happier, More Free"

Annie Mthembu On Life After Her Divorce: "My Kids Are Happier, More Free"

  • Three years after her divorce, Annie Mthembu is finally speaking out about how the split impacted her and her kids
  • The reality TV star says she had to leave her husband, Kgolo Mthembu, to protect her kids and work on restoring her mental health
  • Kgolo has expressed regret for his part in the breakdown of their union and opened up about a difficult moment early in their marriage
Annie Mthembu opened up about life after her divorce.
Annie Mthembu explained why she took a break from the spotlight after her divorce. Image: Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

It has been three years since Annie Mthembu and her husband, Kgolo, separated and the reality TV star is speaking out about why she retreated from the spotlight after the divorce.

Annie says she first needed to get her life in order again and then take some time to heal.

In an interview with TRUELOVE, she said that her kids needed her to be in a good headspace.

"I really needed to double down on my mental health and my mental fitness, especially being a mom, and that you have to be mentally present and available and sound-minded."

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Annie started dating Durban-based businessman Kgolo in 2016, when she was 24, and the couple married in a lavish wedding in Cape Town's scenic winelands in 2021.

The businesswoman says she was young when they met and that she only grew up after the cracks started forming in her marriage.

She reveals that there was a series of difficult moments that made her realise she needed to leave to protect her children and prioritise her mental wellbeing.

But it took her a while to come to that realisation, because at first Annie thought that changing herself would be the solution.

"So, you kind of sit in it for a little bit and you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe it will get better.’"

But she eventually had to accept the reality of the situation and do something about it.

Annie says her six-year-old daughter and five-year-old son are in a better space after her separation from their dad.

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" I can see from their mental attitudes that they are more carefree.”

Kgolo Mthembu gets vulnerable

Kgolo Mthembu has opened up about how his divorce from Annie has affected him.
Kgolo Mthembu opened up about how his divorce from Annie affected him. Image: mrsannbition, kgolodaguru_exp
Source: Instagram

Things have not been going so well for Annie's ex.

Kgolo Mthembu, often referred to as Daguru, took to his Instagram stories to share his thoughts after Annie did her first public interview on the divorce in August 2025.

"Maybe I deserved it or not. But a lot was said and done when I was at my lowest," he wrote.
"It took me a lot of prayers, resilience, and taking accountability to rebuild myself."

The former club owner later appeared on the Love, Marriage and Family podcast, where he was vulnerable about a tough moment early in their marriage.

Daguru revealed that the couple tragically lost their baby boy on their wedding weekend. He shared that Annie previously had three miscarriages, and before their traditional wedding, she told him she couldn't feel the baby's heartbeat.

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He said they were "devastated" when she later delivered a stillborn son.

Phumza and Mnqobi Shoba's marriage is on the rocks

In more entertainment news, Briefly News recently reported on another celebrity couple who are headed for Splitsville.

TV presenter Phumeza Shoba filed for divorce from her husband of 11 years, Mnqobi Shoba.

Phumeza alleges her husband cheated on her and is reportedly seeking R45,000 in monthly spousal maintenance and R5,000 for their partially blind son.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Kim Abrahams avatar

Kim Abrahams (Editor) Kim Abrahams is an Entertainment Writer for Briefly News (joined 2025). She is a journalism graduate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (2019). She has five years of experience as a lifestyle journalist for Media24. To reach her, contact: kim.abrahams@briefly.co.za