The Grace Mondlana effect: 5 times the influencer became the talk on social media
South African content creator Grace Mondlana continues to dominate social media conversations after allegedly scolding guests at her end-year party. From her controversial funeral appearance to becoming GWM's brand ambassador, to lady of the moment and more.
Image: suppled/ Instragram
South African content creator Grace Mondlana is once again a topic of public discussion; this time, she is facing backlash for allegedly scolding guests at her end-of-year party.
The award-winning creator consistently finds new ways to keep the public talking, no matter what she does. This follows after she was rumoured to have required auditions for her highly anticipated year-end party.
Here's a look back at the five moments Mondlana had social media talking.
Scolding her guests at her end-of-year party
Mondlana's end-of-year party has made her a trending topic, for various reasons; allegedly reprimanding her guests, calling herself "the lady of the moment," and changing into three different glamorous dresses.
Some fans even claimed that her behaviour toward the guests was overly harsh. However, contrary to claims that she humiliated her guests, the host, Mondlana, was actually engaging with them. When she asked one guest, Lesedi, to name her profession, Lesedi avoided the question and stood up to entertain the others.
Mondlana then laughed and jokingly remarked, "No more questions because you guys are taking my shine," before asking that the microphone be taken from Lesedi. She then proceeded to tell the guests her profession herself.
However, fans on X did not find the joke.@chilliefriez commented, “I suspect that growing up she was never acknowledged now that she is popular she had main character energy and is a bully in a subtle way”
@nqoh_pandora commented, Her delivery? Love her content but akakwaz ukukhuluma nabantu kanje (you cannot speak to people like this) omggg! I fear Lerato was right about her.”
"The chief mourner" at her ex-partner's funeral
Controversy erupted after Mondlana posted a TikTok tribute to her deceased ex-boyfriend, Sipho Lazarus Zulu, whom she described as her "first love."
She explained that they shared significant "firsts," but the relationship had ended, and she also mentioned, “While we still checked in on each other, we both made the decision to move on and we both ended up finding our own people and cutting ties for good.”
Mondlana revealed he sent her a message before his accident, “he sent me a message which was an indirect goodbye, mentioning how he is proud of me & that I should continue to take care of myself.”
Mondlana also contributed financially to the funeral; her actions were seen by some as insensitive to the deceased's current girlfriend, sparking significant public backlash.
Allegedly requesting auditions for her party
Mondlana trended on social media after a misconception arose that she had requested people to "audition" for her party. The actual trend began when a fan explained why they deserved an invite, prompting others to genuinely "audition."
Mondlana's actual post asked how much people would pay for tickets, stating, "This is my way of giving back, hence I don’t want any ticketed sales…" She ultimately dropped the ticket and audition idea, instead choosing 150 frequent engagers, friends and her family as guests. She did not request auditions.
GWM South African Ambassador in August
Mondlana, already a successful influencer, deepened her relationship with GWM, marking a significant new partnership. The move followed her earlier collaboration featuring the HAVAL Jolion.
Her fans enthusiastically supported the announcement that she had become GWM's first-ever brand ambassador, a moment that quickly made her trend online.
X users commented and congratulated Mondlana. @Ahmed_alee commented, “Grace Mondlana truly deserves this ambassador role; her passion and dedication shine bright.”
Her friendship fell out with Lerato Nxumalo.
Mondlana's viral moment following her ex's funeral quickly led to a public dispute with her former friend, actress Lerato Nxumalo. While Mondlana's video was still trending, Nxumalo shared a meme on her Instagram story declaring, "The results are in, you are a clout chaser."
This came after Mondlana had publicly rejected a user's collaboration offer, responding with "Lol, No." Nxumalo then seemingly aimed to expose Mondlana's true nature, posting that she was "cosplaying as a nice girl," which ultimately earned Mondlana the label of a "mean girl."
Mondlana's actions consistently draw attention, proving she always finds herself in the spotlight.
This raises the ultimate question: Does she intentionally create these dramatic situations to gain public notice, or does drama simply attach itself to her without conscious effort?