30-07-2025
‘For the past five years I've been stolen from'- Simphiwe Dana reflects on career
She has entered a stage in her life where she prioritises her own well-being and no longer feels obligated to exhaust herself in efforts to help others get their lives in order.
Fan favourite South African musician and Afro-Soul legend, Simphiwe Dana, born in Transkei and raised in Lusikisiki has shocked fans with a very personal revelation about the betrayal she has endured for the past five years.
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Prior to the revelation, the 45-year-old singer went to the 'Listen to Your Footsteps Podcast' hosted by Kojo Baffoe, to reflect on two decades of her career, motherhood, loss and identity.
On the podcast, she opened up about grief, especially after her mother passed away, she said she retreated inward, stopped existing and was living off of coffee and a bottle of wine.
'I've fallen apart in different ways, when my mom passed away, I stopped talking, eating, I lived off coffee and a bottle of wine and start thinking about her, and I didn't want to think about her, that was my way of escaping, I didn't want to think too much. When I think too much, I withdraw into my cocoon. Till this day, I haven't opened my mom's WhatsApp messages because I feel like if I do, I will fall apart, and I can't afford to fall apart,' she said.
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Being a mother and provider to her two kids who are now in varsity is at the core of her identity. She also talked about how she relies on 'chosen family,' members, and how she no longer goes out of her way to extend help to anyone else other than herself.
Simphiwe added that she tends to 'bottle things, and when they blow up, she follows through with them.'
'I'm not taking care of anyone other than myself and my kids anymore, I'm done running up and down taking care of other's lives. I've become rebellious and told my family I'm out; I told them I will help when and wherever I can. And I felt like I needed that, I never had that before - taking care of me, I had to put me first,' she emphasised.
Simphiwe recently took to her Instagram to reveal how she had been mistreated by those close to her, implying years of emotional distress and exploitation.
'I'm actually getting madder by the moment. I know I bring genius things. For the past 5 years I've been stolen from. And my people have been a part of it. I'm tired. The betrayal is painful,' the post reads.
Many fans and supporters flooded the comments section offering kind words including industry artists alike.
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