Internationally acclaimed choreographer Limpopo Boy has broken his silence following the leak of his intimate video, saying he did not know that Matshidiso Matilda, the woman in the raunchy vid, was married when they shared a private moment.
He said he only discovered her marital status after the video was leaked and went viral.
In an emotional statement issued on Wednesday, Limpopo Boy said he was writing with a “deeply humbled and heavy heart” as he confronted the fallout from the scandal that has sparked widespread anger, disappointment and debate.
Limpopo Boy said he had heard the voices of South Africans and understood that many people had been affected by what had unfolded.
He said he was not seeking to be defensive, but wanted to put the matter into perspective while showing remorse for what he described as his poor judgement.
Limpopo Boy said he had been raised by a Christian family that respected the sanctity of marriage, abhorred adultery and infidelity, and believed strongly in family and marriage.
But despite those values, Limpopo Boy said he failed to establish Matshidiso Matilda’s marital status before sharing a private moment with her.
Limpopo Boy said he only discovered after the intimate video was leaked that Matshidiso Matilda was married.
He acknowledged that he should have independently verified her marital status before becoming involved with her.
Instead, Limpopo Boy said he “threw caution to the wind” and was now paying the price for his poor judgement.
“For that, I am truly sorry. I profoundly apologise for my omission,” Limpopo Boy said.
The dance fiend said he reserved a special apology for the Shai family, saying he understood the tremendous pain caused by the circumstances surrounding the scandal.
“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,” Limpopo Boy said.
Limpopo Boy said he was sorry to everyone who had been hurt, disappointed or distressed by what had happened.
He said he did not want to make excuses, dismiss anyone’s feelings or pretend that words alone could undo the damage caused.
“I am sorry to everyone who has been hurt, disappointed or distressed in any way,” Limpopo Boy said.
The scandal has also forced Limpopo Boy to confront the consequences of living in the public eye.
Limpopo Boy said his actions and circumstances did not exist in isolation, as they had affected his family, those close to him and members of the public who had followed his career and held him in high regard.
“I accept that there are consequences that come with being in the public eye, and I understand the responsibility that comes with that,” he said.
Rather than respond to the criticism with anger or defensiveness, Limpopo Boy said he was choosing to listen, reflect and learn from his mistakes.
“At this moment, I am choosing humility over defensiveness. I am choosing to listen, reflect and learn from my mistakes,” he said.
Limpopo Boy acknowledged that he was neither perfect nor a saint.
“I’m not a saint, I’m not perfect either,” he said.
Limpopo Boy said he could not change what had already happened, but could decide how he responded to the painful episode.
“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,” he said.
Limpopo Boy also apologised to his family, those who had stood by him and South Africans who felt hurt or disappointed by the scandal.
“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,” he said.
Ending his statement in Sepedi, Limpopo Boy pleaded for forgiveness.
“Ntshwareleng! Sepedi sere ngwana a phosa dira ga a bolawe,” he wrote.
Limpopo Boy said he understood that rebuilding the trust he had lost would not happen through a single statement.
“I know that trust is not restored through statements. It is restored through time, accountability and actions,” he said.
Limpopo Boy ended with a plea for an opportunity to learn from the scandal and change.
“I ask for an opportunity to do better,” he said.