Work. Slay. Love.

SOMIZI MHLONGO, 44, speaks candidly about second chances, living with an incurable illness and his newfound respect for money. Oh, and he’s found love...

- Phila Tyekana

Every era has its dominant mega superstar: a person with the X factor who enters the game and changes everything. These celebs are loved by young and old alike as their light and power are infectious. America has Beyoncé, while Britain is blessed with Adele. In South Africa, we have Somizi Mhlongo. He’s the star of our time. You switch on the radio, you hear his voice. On TV, adverts, online and at functions, he’s everywhere. Heck, if you attend a glamorous event like an awards ceremony, chances are SomGaga – as he’s fondly called by his fans – is the MC. It’s Somizi’s time. And wuuu shem, is he basking in the light. It’s 9am on a sunny midweek morning, and we’re at the posh Flames restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Joburg for breakfast.

After beverages are served, we start reciting his multiple income sources: co-host of The Fresh Breakfast with DJ Fresh on Metro FM; judge on M-Net’s Idols SA; Fatti’s & Moni’s influencer; star of reality show Living the Dream with Somizi, on DStv’s Mzansi Magic; creator of platinum-selling fitness DVD Grind with Somizi, co-host of V-Entertainment on Vuzu Amp; ambassador for McCafé, DStv and the Department of Water and Sanitation; and in-demand choreographer and MC. And to top it all, his recently published biography, Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit, is a best-seller.“Out of everything, I love the MC-ing the most, ” says Somizi. “I throw myself onto crowds if I want to; I even sip on the audiences’ drinks – that’s how much fun I have at gigs.”