Naledi Aphiwe, 19, Ends Partnership With Spikili Over AI Fake Dating Content
- Naledi Aphiwe revealed she and Spikili had secretly agreed to fake a romantic relationship as a business strategy to grow his brand
- The 19-year-old singer called time on their professional partnership after Spikili kept producing AI-generated content implying they were still together
- Spikili, whose real name is Qondanisa Mbhemu, publicly apologised to Naledi and her team after announcing he would stop using her name and likeness
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Facebook
Rising South African singer Naledi Aphiwe has cut ties with social media personality Spikili after he repeatedly used AI-generated content to suggest the two were in a romantic relationship. The 19-year-old made it clear that what fans saw online was never real, and that the situation had crossed a line she was no longer willing to accept.
The pair had built a notable online presence together, releasing the collaborative single ‘Bayazibuza’ in June 2026 alongside producer Goon Flavour. Their on-screen chemistry also turned heads when they shared a stage at Howard College at UKZN in April of the same year.
The fake romance behind the content
Naledi explained that the two had mutually agreed to simulate a romantic relationship as a deliberate brand-building move, one designed primarily to boost Spikili's profile. She said she was initially fine with the arrangement but eventually made it clear to him that she wanted to stop playing the role of his fictional girlfriend.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Despite what she describes as an apparent understanding from his side, Spikili continued producing AI-generated content that painted a picture of an ongoing romance between them. That, Naledi said, is what ultimately ended things professionally. She said:
"As much as I'm sad that we have stopped working together, it's for our own benefit.”
Spikili apologises and steps back
Spikili, whose real name is Qondanisa Mbhemu, addressed the fallout publicly on 26 August, confirming that he would immediately stop using Naledi's name and image in his content. He offered an apology to both Naledi and her team, acknowledging their discomfort and expressing remorse for any emotional distress caused.
He described their meeting as a personal milestone, sharing that he had been a fan of Naledi's before the two crossed paths in 2025. Working together on a song and spending time in the studio with her, he said, was an even bigger moment for him. Spikili has since urged his followers to respect Naledi, her music and the decision she has made.
Naledi first captured international attention in 2023 when American artist Chris Brown sampled her vocals on his track "Shooter". She further cemented her status in the industry in 2025, becoming the youngest artist to receive a Metro FM Award when she picked up her seventh at the ceremony.
The split has brought fresh attention to questions around consent, digital likenesses and the ethics of AI-generated content, particularly when it places real people in situations they never agreed to be part of.
Londi Mncwabe called out Naledi Aphiwe
Londi Mncwabe went public against Naledi Aphiwe after Naledi allegedly sent abusive messages to her elderly mother.
The former employee claimed Naledi body-shamed her and has been harassing her through fake accounts.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
