Snqamu Sodidla's Family Reveals Maskandi Star's Mental Health Struggles Amid Controversies
- Snqamu Sodidla's brother Thobani confirmed the rising maskandi star has been dealing with mental health challenges that the family believes contributed to his recent behaviour
- The musician faced multiple controversies, including an alleged toy gun falling from his bag during a live performance and reports of him slapping a female fan at an event
- The family issued apologies to affected fans and a content creator, but reactions from the public have been divided
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The family of maskandi rising star Nkululeko "Snqamu Sodidla" Mathenjwa has broken their silence following a series of troubling incidents that have put the musician in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. His brother, Thobani Mathenjwa, confirmed that the 40-year-old has been grappling with mental health challenges and appealed to fans to extend patience and understanding to the musician.
Snqamu, who hails from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal, burst onto the music scene in August 2026 with his debut EP, Halala, which quickly earned him recognition as one of the country's most exciting new maskandi voices. But that rapid rise to fame has been shadowed by a growing list of controversies.
Controversies that shook fans
The trouble started at Umkhosi Womhlanga, where Snqamu reportedly refused to pose for photographs with maidens who had hoped to meet him, later issuing an apology for letting fans down.
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Things escalated further on 26 September at the Isibaya Ingoma Festival in Empangeni, KZN, when an object that appeared to be a firearm slipped from his handbag while he was on stage. His manager later clarified that it was a toy gun, explaining that Snqamu had grown fearful for his personal safety after releasing his song Abahambe, which deals with illegal immigration. The manager added that Snqamu had enquired about obtaining a real firearm but was advised that a licence and proper training would be required.
On 3 October, at Ukhozi FM's Indishi event, Snqamu walked out mid-performance. A content creator who followed him to ask why he had left was reportedly insulted by the musician, and a video of the exchange spread online. Shortly afterwards, a separate clip allegedly showing Snqamu slapping a female fan who had approached him for a photo began circulating, prompting widespread calls for his family and management to step in.
Family steps forward
Thobani acknowledged that Snqamu's mental health struggles are not constant but occur in episodes, during which his behaviour becomes unpredictable. He described his brother as someone still learning to navigate sudden fame, and admitted it was understandable for people to feel hurt when they had been on the receiving end of his conduct.
According to Daily Sun, the family offered apologies to fans who encountered difficulties trying to photograph the musician, as well as to the content creator involved in the Ukhozi FM incident. They also asked media and content creators to channel all interview requests through Snqamu's manager, Professor 3 Second, while they continue supporting him through this period.
Public reaction to the family's statement has been split, with some fans expressing sympathy and others questioning whether mental health challenges justify behaviour they view as disrespectful.
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Source: Briefly News
