Sol Phenduka from Podcast and Chill has shared a public video apology after facing backlash for a joke made during a recent episode. The remark was particularly problematic as it came just days before the missing woman referenced in the joke was discovered dead. In the self-recorded video, filmed in what appears to be a home or office space with green walls, Phenduka appeared visibly remorseful as he addressed the issue with a grave tone.
The contentious episode was recorded on a Sunday and included a guest co-host, the Underwoods. During lively exchanges, the guest poked fun at Phenduka’s weight, prompting him to retaliate by commenting on her podcast’s low audience. Amid this banter, he made an “unfortunate pun joke” related to a woman who was reported missing at that time. This episode was set to be released on the following day.
The moment the joke lost its humor
As the clip gained traction online, the circumstances turned tragic. The missing woman, part of the Musila Khomo family, was later found dead in Kimpton Park. What seemed like edgy humour in the moment became indefensible once the story developed.
“I’m recording this video to apologise. We recorded the latest episode, which normally drops on Mondays, or we recorded it on Sunday. And at the time of recording, there was a lady who at that time was missing. And on the show we had a guest co-host the Underwoods throughout the show there was banter she was dissing me about my weight it’s fine it’s whatever I’m used to it and I was dissing her and her podcast that they don’t have numbers and I made an unfortunate pun joke at the time yeah we laughed but it’s not funny anymore um because the lady when the story developed her body was found in Kimpton Park and I just want to profusely apologize to South Africans to chillers and to the family deriving a joke be it targeted at somebody else about a situation around a missing person is distasteful um because it is a traumatic situation especially in the context of South Africa and the unfortunate high femicide that we have.”
Sol Phenduka clarified that the joke was not aimed at the woman herself but acknowledged that making light of a missing person’s situation, especially in South Africa, was inappropriate. He also mentioned that a truncated version of the footage was circulating online, omitting the part where the Underwoods expressed hope that the woman would be found alive.
He expressed condolences to the Musila Khomo family and urged men to take a stand against violence, stating:
“It’s mostly men who are the perpetrators. And I hope there’s justice for these families.”
You can view the X video here:
Public reaction to the apology
Reactions from the public were mixed. Some individuals were ready to move past the incident, while others believed the apology fell short of addressing the seriousness of the error.
@Apheshhh commented:
“Even if she was ‘just missing,’ as you put it, there is absolutely nothing funny about someone being missing. You’re making a joke out of something that was genuinely devastating, and it’s honestly very insensitive. You’re so silly, and not even in a funny way, by the way.”
@ThobekaSin58375 expressed:
“Oh, I was so disappointed and mad, man. But I am glad you acknowledge what you have done and apologised. But can we do better going forward?”
@Gudluzamagudlu took a stronger stance:
“Characters like this Bo Sol, gambling addicts do this every time. No matter how many chances they get to change their lives, they are always quick to apologise after the fact; they show remorse for the sake of moving forward, and repeat the same thing.”
@MeshackBevhulas offered a different viewpoint:
“Apology accepted, my dawg; we all make mistakes. Our anger should be directed to those that are causing this, including police that are failing us.”
@realnickjgood suggested:
“Perhaps this could be a meaningful opportunity to use your platform to raise awareness about GBV, whether through the show’s backdrop or a banner at the bottom of the screen.”
