Yanda Woods Sparks Debate After Calling Grace Mondlana's Dress a Tree

• A clip from the Spreading Humours podcast circulating on TikTok on 8 October 2026 showed Yanda Woods commenting on Grace Mondlana's dress
• Yanda insisted her tree comparison was meant as a compliment, referencing the green and brown colour hues of the outfit
• Co-host Naqueeda flatly called the dress ugly, while Mzansi weighed in with strong opinions on both sides

A clip from the Spreading Humours podcast has set social media alight after co-host Yanda Woods made a surprising comparison about swimmer Grace Mondlana's outfit, leaving her fellow podcasters — and the internet — divided.

Yanda Woods is a co-host on the Spreading Humours podcast alongside Naqueeda, part of the Podcast and Chill Network in South Africa. The clip began circulating on TikTok on 8 October 2026 and quickly sparked strong reactions online.

What did Yanda Woods say about Grace's dress?

During the episode, the hosts were discussing public reactions to a dress Grace Mondlana wore at her thanksgiving event in 2025. Yanda quoted the criticism going around, saying, "People are saying they are ugly," before adding her own take: "The one where she looks like a tree. In a good way."

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One of her male co-hosts pushed back immediately, arguing that comparing someone to a tree is not a compliment regardless of intent. Yanda held her ground, explaining that she was referring to the concept of the look, specifically the green and brown colour palette that reminded her of a tree.

"She genuinely looked like a tree in a good way," she added, attempting to settle the tension in the room.

Co-host Naqueeda was not convinced. She flatly described the dress as ugly and challenged Yanda directly, asking whether she would personally wear it. Yanda's response surprised the panel: "Personally, I would. I'd wear it to a wedding."

Watch the video below:

Mzansi weighs in

The clip drew a wave of reactions in the comments, with many defending Grace Mondlana and others pointing to the swimmer's charitable work as context for why the backlash felt particularly unwarranted.

@samantha mthethwa: "Yanda is so mean, man."

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@Lady coffee/Americano 🏳️‍🌈: "You guys are threatened by Grace's success; hence the hate."

@Ninahcarol Morua: "A tree, yet she's the only person trying to help matriculants with their MD."

@Prie🍒❤️: "I know that dress helped a girl child who did not have a dress, and she who sees it as ugly should have done a giveaway themselves 😏"

@UnaThabiᥫ᭡: "Ugly or not, some people appreciate those dresses."

@Ntebo Mkhwanazi: "Grace Mondlana will always be the best, no matter how negative people can be. 🤞🏾"

@Mimie 🇿🇦: "I can never understand why it's so easy for people to be nasty to others 😏"

Grace spoils matric student

In a previous report from Briefly News, Grace Mondlana surprised a Bloemfontein student in time for her matric dance.

Katelynn was raised by her grandmother and late grandfather and attends a school for children with learning disabilities.

Source: Briefly News