Mpumelelo & Musa Mseleku's Baby Remarks Leave Izingane Zes’thembu Viewers Confused
- Mpumelelo and Musa Mseleku sparked confusion on Izingane Zes'thembu after making remarks about not touching young children
- Viewers flooded X with theories, debating whether the comments were rooted in Zulu spiritual customs or personal behaviour
- Some fans pointed to traditional imithi practices while others argued the cultural rules are used to shield men from accountability
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Source: Instagram
A recent episode of Mzansi Magic's Izingane Zes'thembu has left viewers scratching their heads after Mpumelelo "Sbindi" Mseleku and his father Musa Mseleku made comments about not touching young children. The remarks quickly spread on X, where fans began debating whether the statements were rooted in traditional Zulu spiritual custom or something else entirely. The online conversation was kicked off by @Todi_M2, who posted:
"What do Mpumelelo & his dad mean by they don't touch young children? 😭 Is it cause ba f*ba & they don't want those energies to affect the young child cause they are quite sensitive #IzinganeZesthembu."
What tradition says about infants and spiritual energy
In Zulu and broader Isintu cultural practice, newborns are considered deeply vulnerable, still closely tethered to the spiritual world and to their mother. Adults who are engaged in active romantic relationships or using traditional medicine are sometimes cautioned against holding infants, as the belief holds that intense spiritual weight or "hot energy" could be passed on to a fragile child. This concept, known in some circles as isinyama, forms part of a wider set of protective customs observed in traditional households.
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The Mseleku family has consistently navigated these customs in full view of the nation throughout the show's run, making the comments all the more layered for long-time viewers.
South Africans weigh in
The reactions on X ranged from cultural explanations to outright scepticism. Below is a selection of what fans had to say:
@princeRADEBE18 said:
"Maybe they are using strong muthi that might harm the baby. 🤷🏽♀️"
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@88mabilisa wrote:
"They use umithi, so u can't touch them until they turn 1year old"
@blackk_runner commented:
"Because you’re not supposed to touch the baby after having sex… With these ones' lifestyle, you might find they just had sex shortly before visiting the child."
@NondumisoN990 added:
"Exactly that! Zulu culture is always based on protecting evil behaviours by men!"
@LuChronicles1 shared:
"It's just an excuse bafuna kumithisa kphela."
@khanyagxjuf said:
"I don't think it's necessarily because of ukufeba, because the baby is still too small and fragile; men aren't maternal and nurturing in nature, so they can't really play or interact with the child. I probably don't make sense, but that's how I understand it."
@NguAmanda commented:
"No, it's just a phobia. Newborns look fragile."
@AluRavhy pointed out:
"Mpumelelo said he is scared of young children; by that time, he has 4 in total"
@sun_flawa1 shared:
"My dad was neither Zulu nor for the streets, but he also didn't touch babies in their infancy."
@nomsaSkhanyile commented:
"Small babies aren't supposed to be touched by just anyone, and to willy-nilly venture outside of the home for their own protection. Kodwa ke siphila isnoma yini."
Mpumelelo mocks his dad
Uthando Nes'thembu viewers were left floored following the latest episode, where Sne Mseleku broke the news of her pregnancy to her father.
Musa Mseleku's reaction went viral, with his son, Mpumelelo Mseleku, mocking him on his Instagram page.
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Source: Briefly News
