Podcaster Sol Phenduka has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over remarks made on Podcast and Chill regarding a woman who went missing while running in Kempton Park. The woman was later identified as 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose death was confirmed amid a troubling spate of recent killings in the area.
In the episode, Phenduka and his co-hosts made light of the missing person case before the full details of the tragedy had emerged. The jokes drew immediate condemnation from listeners and social media users, who accused the podcast of insensitivity and callousness, particularly given South Africa’s alarmingly high rates of femicide and gender-based violence.
In his apology, Phenduka acknowledged that the remarks were made before the gravity of the situation was known and described them as “distasteful and deeply regrettable.” He expressed his sincere regret to Moselakgomo’s family, to listeners, and to the public, acknowledging that the jokes were inappropriate regardless of the timing. “There is no excuse for making light of a woman’s disappearance and death,” Phenduka said. “I am sorry, and I take full responsibility.”
The apology has divided public opinion. Some have praised Phenduka for holding himself accountable and issuing a swift mea culpa, while others argue that the damage was done and that the podcast’s culture of shock humour needs to change. Rapper Cassper Nyovest weighed in on the controversy, labelling Podcast and Chill as “poison” and criticising the show for prioritising clicks over compassion.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about media responsibility, the trivialisation of violence against women, and the role of influential platforms in shaping public attitudes. For Moselakgomo’s family, the apology may offer little comfort, but the backlash serves as a reminder that in a country grappling with a femicide crisis, words carry weight—and consequences. As the debate continues, the spotlight remains firmly on the intersection of entertainment, accountability, and the dignity of victims.
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