Shoprite Ad Features Kabza De Small Lookalike, Mzansi Reacts Hilariously

• Shoprite South Africa posted a Hennessy cognac advert on 15 September 2026 that caught Mzansi's attention for an unexpected reason
• A popular X account, Chris Excel, reposted the ad after fans noticed the man in it bore a striking resemblance to Kabza De Small
• South Africans flooded the comments with jokes, with some suggesting the amapiano star should consider legal action

A Shoprite Hennessy advert has sent Mzansi into a frenzy after fans spotted an uncanny resemblance between the man featured in the ad and amapiano star Kabza De Small. The post went viral after popular X account @ChrisExcelTrans reposted it on Thursday, 24 September 2026, with the caption: "Shoprite did Kabza De Small dirty here. 😭😭😭"

The original advert, posted by Shoprite South Africa on 15 September 2026, was a straightforward promotion encouraging shoppers to "shop your favourite Hennessy cognac at Shoprite and bring smooth, world-renowned taste to your next celebration." Nothing about the post was meant to be controversial — until Mzansi noticed the face.

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Kabza or a Cognac customer?

Fans were quick to draw comparisons between the man pictured in the LiquorShop promotion and the King of Amapiano himself, with many joking that the resemblance was too close to be a coincidence. Some went further, suggesting this was not the first time a South African celebrity had allegedly been AI-generated or referenced in advertising without their knowledge.

References to Benni McCarthy also surfaced in the comments, with users claiming something similar had happened to the former footballer in another advert.

Mzansi has its say

While most reactions leaned into the humour of the situation, a handful of users raised the question of whether Kabza — or anyone who resembles a public figure — could pursue legal recourse if their likeness is used commercially without consent. Neither Shoprite nor Kabza De Small had addressed the comparison publicly at the time the post circulated widely on X.

The jokes came fast and thick. Below are some of the standout reactions:

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@maximuss_88: "He didn't even notice."

@roy45868: "Kelvin de small."

@Kay_beeeh: "They did it with Benni also."

@Shakes_Zuma: "Face of alcohol, perfect picture😂👌"

@NathiiLux: "Boma low key Zola 7 fused with Kabza."

@Lungz_Nhlabath7: "Can't he sue?"

@WMFoundationsa: "Finally showing us their real customers."

@Melleth_P89: "They also AI BENNI McCarthy 🌚"

@madetolas: "He must sue them; this is defamation of character 😭😭😂😂."

@KNdala69274: "What they did here can never be undone."

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Source: Briefly News