Mzansi Reacts to Claims DJ Maphorisa Has Nigerian Roots

• South Africans reacted with shock after claims surfaced that DJ Maphorisa has Nigerian roots through his father
• The revelation sparked an online debate about nationality, heritage, and how citizenship is determined in South Africa
• Several X users weighed in with humour and serious questions about identity, with one even claiming to know Maphorisa's full Nigerian name

South Africans were sent into a spin this week after claims circulated on X that Amapiano heavyweight DJ Maphorisa may have Nigerian roots on his father's side, and the internet had plenty to say about it. The conversation was set off by user @busiwe_bubu, who posted in apparent disbelief:

"Haibo. Am I the only one who didn't know that DJ Maphorisa is Nigerian? 😳"

DJ Maphorisa’s heritage comes under the spotlight

DJ Maphorisa, whose real name is Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, is South African and was born and raised in Soshanguve, Pretoria. Several biographies have reported that his father was Nigerian and his mother was South African. However, during a September 2026 interview, Maphorisa corrected the interviewer when they suggested his father was from Nigeria, explaining that his grandfather was from Mozambique.

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Mzansi reacts to the heritage claims

Not everyone was amused.

@Mothematiks said he was genuinely curious why Maphorisa would keep his roots under wraps:

"I wonder why he is secretive about his Nigerian heritage."

@Kizito_201 used the moment to make a broader point about African migration, writing:

"Almost half of South African blacks are descendants of foreigners from Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. Immigration in South Africa started way back in the 1940s as Africans were recruited as cheap labour to work in the mines."

@busiwe_bubu shot back:

"Now you're lying unprovoked. 🫤🫤"

@paucahantashair noted:

"Well, his beard connects fully; makes sense."

@busiwe_bubu to fire back:

"Hebanna. Only Nigerians have connecting beards?"

@Sechaba_K perhaps summed up the mood best:

"It must be tough being famous. You host a hot show the next day you're Nigerian?"

Home Affairs reportedly investigating Chidimma’s father

Home Affairs is said to have launched an internal investigation into Michael Adetshina's permanent residence status.

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The Hawks were reportedly brought in over concerns about who registered Chidimma's birth at Home Affairs.

Source: Briefly News