Known to The Makhenes reality show fans only as Baba, Mkhulu “Baba” Mahlalentabeni, is telling his side of a very public breakup from actress and musician Letoya Makhene.
After being introduced to South Africans as the father of Makhene’s youngest child, who was a few months old at the time the show was shot, Baba has come out on social media to express his anger at Makhene’s refusal to let him see his child, among other things.
On the reality show, Makhene is living with Baba, a choice her father and grandmother are unhappy about because they do not know him, nor has he done the right things traditionally to appease the family after having a child with her and living with her outside of marriage.
As a picture of a bourgeoning happy family plays out on our screens, in real time, Baba is publishing videos on TikTok talking about his breakup and subsequent fight with Makhene to get access to his child.
In addition to their domestic issues, Baba says Letoya is withholding his money from Mzansi Magic, presumably for his participation in the reality show.
Baba sat down with podcaster Lungelo Mdletshe on his Engineer Your Life podcast for what could only be described as déjà vu due to its similarities to the viral interview Lebo Keswa did on the same podcast after her breakup with Makhene.
Baba’s copycat assertion that ‘Letoya lies’ seems to vindicate Keswa after she became a meme for using the same phrase in an animated manner during her interview.
He also says that Letoya entertained other men during their relationship, the same thing Keswa expressed in September 2024 when she sat down with Mdletshe.
Get the full interview by clicking on the videos above.