Celebrating iComplain: the TikTok star whose smile masked a hidden struggle

There are people whose laughter makes entire rooms brighter, whose witty words become a cultural heartbeat, and whose absence leaves a silence so profound that a nation feels it.

Sharon Ntombizodwa Makoni, lovingly known to millions as iComplain on TikTok, was one of those rare voices who has lost her life following a battle with depression.

She wasn’t just a TikTok creator: she was Africa’s "Minister of Defence" in the digital age, a satirist who wielded humour to dismantle ignorance and uplift cultural pride.

Today, we mourn her passing, but we also celebrate her life and the urgent mental health conversation her loss compels us to have.

She rose to fame during a time when TikTok faced a possible ban in the US. While many Americans worried about losing the app, creators from Africa, like iComplain, started to stand out.

Her sharp, funny videos about stereotypes went viral and earned her the nickname “the Minister of Defence for Africa.”

She didn’t just respond to ignorance; she obliterated it, one sarcastic green-screen video at a time.

One of her most iconic moments came when an American creator mocked African languages as “barbaric” because of their click sounds, common in Xhosa.

Makoni, ever the satirist, stuffed her pants to mimic the exaggerated “BBL” aesthetic popular in American culture and quipped, “My name is Shakisha, yo. I sell lashes, nails, and I’m an exotic dancer.”

Her deadpan delivery, paired with Kendrick Lamar’s diss track in the background, left viewers in stitches while driving home the absurdity of cultural ignorance.

In another viral moment, she responded to the stereotype that Africans are starving by ordering two full chickens on Uber Eats, captioning the video, “Me getting fire ready so I can eat.”

Her humour was effortless but impactful, using levity to highlight the ridiculousness of these age-old tropes.

She shed light on the complexities of identity and perception in ways that were both accessible and infectious.

And yet behind the laughter was a woman grappling with inner storms. We often don’t see a deeply human struggle with smiling depression, where the outward joy masks a profound internal pain.

Tragically, Makoni lost her life at just 27, in an incident her family confirms was tied to her battle with depression, according to a Facebook post by Nthabiseng Nhlapho.

Her sudden passing on January 3, 2026, stunned her wide community of followers and friends.

She was laid to rest in mid-January.

According to Nhlapho, her 23-year-old brother, Feechy Makoni, explained that her burial was delayed due to police investigations following her passing. The family was later able to view CCTV footage from the day she died.

Feechy also revealed that Makoni had sent him personal details and passwords shortly before she was found. According to the family, they were informed that she had passed away after leaving her home in Johannesburg and booking a room at another establishment in the CBD.

“The belt or rope from her nightgown was missing and is believed to have been used in the incident. Police investigated the possibility of foul play but ruled it out following investigations and a post-mortem examination.

"Sharon had only recently returned to Joburg from a holiday in Cape Town when the incident occurred," Nhlapho wrote.

Beyond the viral clips

Her death isn’t just the loss of a beloved creator. It’s a stark reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone, even those who make others laugh every day.

In South Africa, a striking number of people live with symptoms of depression and anxiety. National estimates suggest around one in four adults experience moderate to severe depressive symptoms, varying across provinces, while youth in schools show alarmingly high levels of emotional distress and suicidal behaviour.

According to a 2023 Wits University study, even among university students, who are often assumed to be in vibrant, energetic environments, almost half may screen positive for probable depression.

These stats aren’t just numbers; they underscore a collective reality: mental illness is widespread, often hidden, and tragically under-supported. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), only a fraction of those struggling can access care, and the country records about 23 suicides a day.

The phrase smiling depression describes this exact paradox: individuals who appear cheerful, successful, or humorous on the outside, yet inside they carry a heavy weight.

Research underscores that people who mask their pain with positivity can be especially hard to detect and help.

Following Makoni's passing, here are the concrete actions one can take when facing a similar situation:

• Recognise that depression is a serious health issue, not a momentary sadness. It affects youth and adults across economic and cultural lines.
• Support open conversations that destigmatise mental health because shame often isolates the suffering.
• Learn the warning signs: withdrawing from friends, loss of interest, changes in mood and sleep patterns.
• Know that help exists: SADAG, local counselling services, and digital resources (like integrated TikTok mental health guides) can provide support.

Makoni’s TikTok page may continue as a tribute, a digital legacy of laughter, education and cultural pride, but her story also invites us to be more present with one another off-screen.

May her legacy continue to spark joy, curiosity, and compassion across continents and may her story help save lives by reminding us all to look beyond the smile.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to SADAG (0800 456 789) or another mental health service today.