Is Naledi Aphiwe's relationship with Mawelele really over? Fans weigh in

IOL News

19-05-2025

Musicians Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele have announced their separation. The question remains whether this breakup is authentic or a calculated marketing ploy.
Image: Instagram
808s and heartbreaks, things have taken a sad turn for Metro FM award-winning singer Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele. The two love birds seem to have called it quits. This comes after Aphiwe shared a photo on TikTok.
The post featured a cryptic caption, underscored by the trending song, 'Uzizwa Kanjani', which has become a staple sound for breakup confessions, leaving fans to speculate about the state of their relationship.
Although the couple never officially confirmed their romance, they had been making public appearances together, fueling speculation about their relationship status.
Their chemistry was undeniable, and fans had been shipping them hard after their acclaimed collaboration on their song 'Romeo & Juliet'. The afro-pop love anthem hit an impressive milestone of one million views on YouTube within ten days of its launch.
The song's release was a highlight of their rumoured romance, which their fans were totally here for. Just months later, it seems like their love story has come to an end.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The split has also sparked reactions from fans, who are divided over the news. Some have expressed sympathy for Aphiwe, pointing to a past TikTok live session where Mawelele allegedly spoke negatively about her.
One fan commented, 'Did you watch Mawelele's live? Yoh! Judging from what he was saying, I don't think he truly loved you. Askies (sorry), you will be ok.'
The 18-year-old 'Ngiyabonga' hitmaker responded to the fan's comment, agreeing with the statement.
'Lol, yeah, he never loved me. Maybe there was something that he was looking to gain, and he got it. Good for him,' she said.
Another TikTok post by the singer included a snippet of their last recorded song together. In the caption, she pours her heart out about missing her ex, Mawelele, and still thinking about him.
The caption reads: 'Hope he's doing well. I've been thinking a lot about our relationship, and I believe it's best for both of us if we go our separate ways.
"This isn't easy for me to say, and I truly value the time we've spent together. I wish him all the best moving forward. I'm so sorry for this Maweledi team, but it is what it is 💔💔💔💔.'
@naledi_aphiwe_
hope his doing well. I've been thinking a lot about our relationship, and I believe it's best for both of us if we go our separate ways. This isn't easy for me to say, and I truly value the time we've spent together. I wish his all the best moving forward ,I'm so sorry for this Maweledi team but it is what it is 💔💔💔💔 ♬ original sound - naledie
But could this just be a stunt to promote the single that is still in the archives waiting to be released? This has sparked rumours that the breakup might be a strategic move to hype up their upcoming single.
One fan on TikTok @Nyeleti M commented: 'They promoting the song most definitely 🤣❤️.' Another fan @luv.kego commented: 'Marketing strategists, 😭 this song ties into what's happening atm (at the moment).'
'And then we will look like fools when it turns out it's a stunt 🤦🏾‍♀️🖐🏽,' said @martiemphande05.
The plot thickens as Mawelele seems to be moving on quickly. Videos of him with a different girl have surfaced, showing him getting cosy with someone new.
While fans are speculating about the 'Romeo & Juliet' hitmakers' breakup, it remains to be seen what they are truly up to.