Picture: Instagram
After weeks of speculation and cryptic social media posts, reality TV stars Lexi van Niekerk, popularly known as Lexi Van, and ‘Big Brother Mzansi’ season 1 winner Mandla Hlatshwayo have confirmed their breakup.
The couple, who had been together for over a decade and share two young sons, first won over fans when they met on ‘Big Brother Mzansi’ in 2014.
Their passionate romance, which played out on-screen, including their infamous shower moment, cemented their place as one of the show’s most memorable love stories.
Over the years, they continued to share glimpses of their relationship, building a devoted fanbase.
However, recent posts from both Lexi and Mandla hinted at turmoil. Lexi took to X (formerly Twitter) with an emotionally raw post:
“FINALLY walking away from something that you THOUGHT would work out. Investing every ounce of self, hope, belief, and then getting disrespected, lied to, gaslit, & betrayed is prob thee most f*cked up thing, I’ve endured in a long while. But let me gather my crazy self & heal.”
FINALLY walking away from something that you THOUGHT would work out. Investing every ounce of self, hope, belief, and then getting disrespected, lied to, gaslit, & betrayed is prob thee most fucked up thing, I’ve endured in a long while. But let me gather my crazy self& heal. 😊
— Lexi Van (@van_lexi) March 16, 2025
Days later, she added: “I think I’ll always love my ex.”
I think I’ll always love my ex.
— Lexi Van (@van_lexi) March 23, 2025
Mandla, in turn, shared unsettling posts, referencing the tragic deaths of two South African celebrities:
“Nearly went out like Flabba” – a reference to Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi, the South African artist who was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend, Sindisiwe Precious Manqele, in 2015.
Flabba’s death sent shockwaves through the music community, with his girlfriend later convicted of culpable homicide.
Nearly went out like Flabba💔
— @MiindLo$🇿🇦 (@MandLaCONDA) March 19, 2025
“I don’t wanna die for love like Reeva Steenkamp.” Mandla’s post also referenced the tragic death of model Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius, a double-amputee Paralympic and Olympic sprinter, on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
Pistorius was later convicted of murder, which further brought the case into the international spotlight.
“I don’t wanna die for love like Reeva Steenkamp”
— @MiindLo$🇿🇦 (@MandLaCONDA) March 19, 2025
Speaking to ZiMoja, Mandla confirmed the breakup, clarifying that it was not a publicity stunt. However, he said he wasn’t ready to share further details.
Words: Fame Frenzy
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