"Poor Thembi": Malcolm Wentzel’s Ghost Prank on Thembi Has Mzansi Laughing

• Malcolm Wentzel pulled a ghost filter prank on Sis Thembi in a TikTok video that left South Africans in stitches
• Thembi had just returned from a holiday, and Malcolm used the video to let fans know she was alive and well
• South African viewers flooded the comments with laughter, saying they love Tembi and hope she sleeps well that night

Thembi Ubisi was just trying to say hello to the internet. What she did not see coming was a ghost lurking behind her.

On 7 October 2026, TikToker Malcolm Wentzel posted a video from inside his home, with a pool visible in the background. He called Tembi over on the pretence of checking in on her after her holiday, telling her not to look at the camera while he quietly activated a ghost filter on his phone.

Thembi's reaction steals the show

Malcolm explained to viewers that fans had been messaging him asking about Tembi's whereabouts while she was away. He wanted to use the moment to show everyone she was back safe and well. Thembi greeted the camera cheerfully, completely unaware of what was about to happen.

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The moment the ghost filter appeared on screen, Thembi froze, then began insisting there was a ghost right behind her. Malcolm tried to convince her there was nothing there, but she was not having it. She kept stepping away, pointing at the screen and refusing to believe it was just a filter. When Malcolm finally revealed the trick, the two dissolved into laughter, with Malcolm joking that it was her ancestors coming to visit.

The clip quickly spread across South African social media, with viewers charmed by both the prank and Tembi's warm personality.

View the TikTok video below:

Mzansi reacts to the ghost prank

South Africans in the comments on the page could not contain themselves:

@💐💐 Miemie wrote:

"Sy kom nie more terug nie [She's not coming back tomorrow] 😂😂"

@Claire Coutriers said:

"I love Thembi one day I would love to meet her she is such an awesome person…love u Thembi"

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@bookland2 commented:

"Poor Thembi. You not sleeping tonight."

@Luna_35 🇿🇦 said:

"She wanted to run forward 🤭"

@🇿🇦Susan🇿🇦 wrote:

"Jy moet nie so met Thembi more nie [You must not do Thembi like that]"

@vasthivanrooyen5 added:

"Ai arme Thembi, julle is lekker stout [Shame, poor Thembi, you are really naughty] 😂"

The warmth in the comments was just as much about the prank as it was about seeing Tembi back and in good spirits after her time away.

More Briefly News stories on pranks

• A very popular South African prankster known as JD Heyns stopped a pedestrian with a fake R500 fine after she crossed on red while using her phone.
• A South African gogo mistook an AI ghost filter for a Tokoloshe and made heartfelt requests to it, leaving TikTok users who saw the clip in stitches.
• The popular Cape Town artist Chaz Williams pranked Siya Kolisi after the Springbok captain signed the front of a framed portrait instead of the back.

Source: Briefly News