Backlash, Leaks, and Allegations of Clout Chasing
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| Image: TikTok/grace_mondlana |
From classroom chalkboards to international brand deals, Grace Mondlana has become one of South Africa’s fastest rising content creators. But her recent involvement in the funeral of her late ex-boyfriend has sparked a nationwide debate, with social media turning her into both a subject of admiration and outrage.
The Rise of Grace Mondlana
Once a teacher, Grace catapulted to online fame through her storytelling, relatable content, and polished TikToks. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed in 2024, she received the DStv Emerging Content Creator Award, solidifying her as a major voice in the influencer space.
Since then, her success has soared. She’s partnered with global brands like NIVEA and Great Wall Motor, even traveling to Germany and China for campaigns. Her story became an aspirational blueprint from humble beginnings to luxury press trips.
But with fame comes scrutiny, and in June 2025, everything changed.
Sipho Zulu’s Death and the Funeral Fallout
Grace’s former partner, Sipho Zulu, tragically passed away in a car accident in June 2025. Despite the relationship having ended earlier in the year, Grace publicly mourned Sipho as “the love of my life” and took full control of his funeral arrangements allegedly paying for the entire service.
What began as a heartfelt tribute quickly turned into an internet storm. Many followers questioned her motives. Was it genuine grief, or a carefully curated spectacle?
Rumors circulated that Grace had taken Sipho’s phone from the hospital, updated his LinkedIn profile, and used his passing to gain online sympathy. A leaked voice note defending her actions only made things worse, feeding accusations of emotional manipulation and clout-chasing.
Summary of the ☕️
— Le rata depth gore. (@Ketso28) July 7, 2025
-Boy dies in a car crash
-his ex girlfrield, who is a soul tie & spiritual wife, somewhat found out about the accident, rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries
-ex girlfriend starts to plan the funeral with her own money
-takes the deceased’s… https://t.co/Yy9jIb92qQ
Internet Divided: Mourning or Manipulating?
Public opinion has been sharply divided. Some fans defended Grace’s right to grieve, highlighting the emotional complexity of losing an ex. But others including fellow content creators weren’t so forgiving.
TikToker Lerato Nxumalo posted a meme that many saw as a direct shot at Grace, calling her “the chief mourner” and suggesting she used the tragedy for attention. The feud between the two influencers added more fuel to the fire, turning Grace’s mourning into viral entertainment.Lerato Nxumalo story on instagram 😭😂#gracemondlana pic.twitter.com/H5D5oa73YU
— Nomfundo Ndlovu (@nomf45955) July 7, 2025
Eventually, Grace turned off the comments on many of her posts a move critics interpreted as guilt, while supporters saw it as protecting her peace.
The Price of Visibility
This isn’t Grace’s first brush with controversy. Even before the funeral backlash, she had been accused of copying content styles and manufacturing a “too perfect” persona online. But nothing has triggered as much outrage or fascination as her role in Sipho’s farewell.
It begs a larger question: how much of our mourning, our love, and our pain belongs on the internet?
Grace Mondlana’s rise to fame has been swift, polished, and wildly inspiring but the fallout from this tragedy shows how quickly public opinion can turn. In a digital age where authenticity is currency, the line between genuine grief and public performance has never been blurrier.
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