Lerato Kganyago, a prominent figure in South African media, has stirred conversations on social media following an emotional livestream where she shared the challenges she and her husband, Thami Ndlala, have been experiencing in their private lives.
The host of the recent Metro FM Music Awards expressed her feelings during the livestream on 26 May 2026, discussing the pressures, critique, and intense public scrutiny they have faced in recent months. Lerato openly stated that the relentless criticism has affected both their marriage and individual well-being.
“I think life is even tougher for us because people just hate us. From the first day that we got married, I think that’s why we haven’t even had a white wedding,” she said.
Lerato further disclosed that she feels a lack of support from individuals within the entertainment sector, with many who have previously benefitted from her husband’s kindness seemingly absent during this challenging time.
The star lamented that her accomplishments have frequently been overshadowed by negative commentary, indicating that she seldom receives acknowledgment for her years of dedicated work in the industry.
During her livestream, Lerato touched upon the controversy surrounding 12 on Hillel Villa and Spa, a luxury hotel in Johannesburg associated with her and her husband. This venue had been referenced during tributes at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where an unnamed witness suggested it served as a meeting place for senior law enforcement officials and alleged wrongdoers.
She also opened up about her experience with a phantom pregnancy, revealing the emotional struggle she has quietly endured alongside the public insults she faces online.
Lerato refuted claims implying that her husband’s businesses prospered due to corruption involving the government, asserting that Thami built his success through hard work.
“If only y’all knew that my husband does not even like tenders, he doesn’t like the government. He will start from the bottom with the R1 he has and hope for a miracle; that’s how Ndlala Mall came about,” she explained.
The livestream generated varied reactions online, with some viewers expressing empathy for Lerato’s openness, while others continued to debate the controversies surrounding the couple’s business transactions.
“Lerato Kganyago breakdown live revealing a lot about her husband, marriage, pregnancy and more 😭”
By:Sip & Relax pic.twitter.com/UyGJxL2wSg
— BelezaManifique (@BelezaManifique) May 27, 2026
