“It’ll Never Be Me”: South African Enlightens American Husband on Traditional Makoti Duties in Video

• A South African woman living in the US explained to her American husband what traditional daughter-in-law duties look like back home
• Bonang Shadi Kgwadi described expectations like waking before sunrise, cooking, cleaning and dressing modestly at the in-laws
• South Africans flooded the comments with mixed reactions to her take on local traditions

A South African woman living in the United States gave her American husband a crash course in traditional daughter-in-law expectations on 15 August 2026, and his reaction said everything.

TikTok creator @bonang.shadi.kgwadi filmed a casual, selfie-style video with her husband in their home hallway. Her tone was playful. Her point was serious.

Bonang explained that back in South Africa, a visit to the in-laws would come with a full set of unspoken rules. Waking up before the sun rose, preparing breakfast, cleaning the house before anyone else opened their eyes, and cooking every meal while family members sat and watched.

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She also spoke about the dress code. Standing in a backless outfit, she pointed out that in a traditional South African home, that look would have caused a family meeting. Uncles, grannies, the whole gathering, called together to address how she was dressed.

"It can never be me, and it will never be any of my daughters."

Bonang made clear she was not dismissing all South African customs. @bonang.shadi.kgwadis said she was working out which traditions still made sense for her life and which ones she was comfortable leaving behind. Her husband, who she described as a non-traditional man, was going grocery shopping while she stayed home, the reverse of what she said would have been expected of her in South Africa.

She credited her contentment to the kind of marriage she had built, one where neither partner was locked into roles assigned by custom. Watch the video that got Mzansi talking:

Mzansi Weighs In

The video sparked lively debate in the comments, with South Africans landing on very different sides:

@Her♡ said: "You're over explaining now it's like you're lying 😂"

@Unbothered Unhinged wrote: "I didn't even have to put the video on 2x, you are faster than fast, sister 😂"

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@Lomza shared: "I love South African traditions. They teach you how to take care of your household. I'm not married, but I like to be like that in my daily life. If I can wake up at 4 am daily, I'd be unstoppable in life."

@Ayanda_magula declared: "I am definitely marrying a Westerner."

@𝓜asego✨ pushed back: "Bruh it's not every South African house, relax."

Bonang herself responded in the comments, writing:

"I actually love learning which traditions still make sense for my life and which ones I'm okay leaving behind. Every marriage gets to create its own normal, right? 🤭"

@Lyn |UGC creator🇺🇸||🇿🇦🇲🇿 added:

"Every Sunday there's lunch at my in-laws, I'm not expected to clean or cook anything 🤣🤣🤣"

Other Briefly News stories about marriage

• A memorable wedding that showcased the vibrant blend of cultures when an American couple took to the dance floor at their son's South African wedding.
• Online users discussed a TikTok video of a woman explaining why her Igbo husband did not kneel during his marriage proposal.
• A viral TikTok video showcased a joyful traditional wedding that beautifully blended Congolese and South African cultures.

Source: Briefly News