Limpopo Boy, real name Matome Robert Mahlatse Thoka, has issued a second public statement apologising for his involvement in a private sexual encounter with married socialite Matshidiso Matilda, saying he takes responsibility for his “poor judgement” and accepts that his actions have consequences.
The latest statement, dated 12 August, marks a significant change in tone from his first response to the scandal. When the private video surfaced online on 9 August, Limpopo Boy’s initial focus was on the unauthorised distribution of the footage, with his management describing it as “stolen content” and a serious violation of his privacy. His team said cybersecurity experts, lawyers and online platforms were being engaged to establish how the footage was obtained and to have it removed.
His second statement, however, turns the attention towards his own conduct. Limpopo Boy says he did not know Matshidiso was married until after the video had already been leaked.
“I only discovered after the video was leaked that she was married. I should have independently verified her marital status before sharing a private moment with her. Instead of doing that, I threw caution to the wind and I’m now paying the price for my poor judgement,” he said.
“For that, I am truly sorry. I profoundly apologise for my omission.”
He also directly apologised to the Shai family, saying: “I want to apologise in particular to the Shai family for the tremendous pain I have put them through. That’s not how I was raised. I’m not a home wrecker.”
Matshidiso is publicly known as a socialite who is regularly seen at nightlife events and has built a following around her lifestyle content. Her husband is Kevin Shai. Reports have placed their marriage in 2025, meaning the couple have been married for roughly a year. Public social-media content around their relationship, including marriage and lobola celebrations, has also circulated, while Kevin has frequently posted his wife. Recent reports have also said that Kevin deactivated his social-media accounts amid the controversy.
The encounter involving Limpopo Boy and Matshidiso is understood to have happened after the Balcony Mix event. The private footage later surfaced online and quickly spread across social media, turning what had been a private encounter into a public scandal.
Limpopo Boy’s management has maintained that the distribution of the footage was unauthorised, regardless of what happened in the recording itself.
“This content was stolen without consent and shared entirely without authorization. This is a severe violation of privacy and a criminal matter,” his management said in its first statement.
The professional consequences have been swift. Limpopo Boy has already been removed from the inaugural Creators Assembly 2026 in Botswana, an event scheduled for 19 to 21 August. The organisers, in association with sponsor BBS Bank, announced that he would no longer be part of the programme and that a replacement was being considered. While the organisers did not explicitly say the video was the reason for his removal, the decision came shortly after the controversy erupted.
The fallout is understood to be considerably bigger than one cancelled appearance. Limpopo Boy has lost at least two commercial opportunities and that other brand relationships are being reviewed following the controversy. His international touring plans have also been disrupted, with his world tour reportedly cancelled.
Adidas is among the brands reported to have distanced itself from Limpopo Boy following the scandal, while a car-related brand opportunity has also reportedly fallen away. Other potential partners are understood to be waiting for investigations into the incident and its wider implications before deciding whether to continue working with him.
A source familiar with Limpopo Boy’s commercial affairs said the impact was particularly serious because of the scale of his international profile and the work he had put into building himself beyond South Africa.
“This is not just about losing one booking. Limpopo Boy has built an international career and his brand has been growing outside the country. When brands start pulling away, tours are cancelled and commercial conversations are put on hold, the financial impact becomes serious,” the source said.
Limpopo Boy’s rise has been significant. Originally from Botlokwa in Limpopo, he began dancing at a young age and eventually moved to Pretoria to pursue dance professionally. He became widely known through his work with artists including Makhadzi, Lady Zamar, DJ Cleo and Sho Madjozi, before establishing himself as a dancer, choreographer, performer and international dance teacher.
His international profile grew through dance competitions, tours and workshops. In 2023, he won the Brussels Dance Battle in Belgium and was touring Europe, with stops including France, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden and Germany. At the time, he told TshisaLIVE that he never initially imagined that dancing would take him around the world.
That international reputation is now at the centre of the fallout.
In his latest statement, Limpopo Boy acknowledges that his public image has been affected and that the people who supported his career have also been caught up in the controversy.
“I understand that my actions and circumstances do not exist in isolation. They affect my family, the people who care about me, and members of the public who have followed this matter and held me in high regard,” he said.
“I accept that there are consequences that come with being in the public eye, and I understand the responsibility that comes with that.”
He also appealed for an opportunity to rebuild his reputation.
“At this moment, I am choosing humility over defensiveness. I am choosing to listen, reflect and learn from my mistakes. I’m not a saint, I’m not perfect either.”
“I cannot change what has already happened. What I can do is take this moment seriously, learn from it, and work towards becoming a better person.”
Concluding his statement, Limpopo Boy said: “To my family, to those who have stood by me, and to South Africans who feel hurt or disappointed by what has happened. I am sincerely sorry. Ntshwareleng! Sepedi sere ngwana a phosa dira ga bolowe.”
“I know that trust is not restored through statements. It is restored through time, accountability and actions. I ask for an opportunity to do better.”
