‘Read the Room’ co-host Phil Mphela opens up about his issues with Ama2k

Phil Mphela, one of the hosts of the Read the Room podcast, shared his honest opinions on Gen Z, colloquially referred to as Ama2k in South Africa.

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The host shared his dislike of the behaviours the generation often exhibits, placing his argument on the concept of respect.

In last night’s episode, on 7 October 2026, the Read the Room podcast tried something new: the introduction of two new hosts, Yanda Woods and Kamo, in Shamiso and Londie London’s absence.

“Let me land”

Phil finally got to share what his real issue is with Ama2k in last night’s episode. The conversation dove into social responsibility.

He starts out appreciating the freedom Ama2k has to call out certain societal issues.

” I appreciate that you guys are more willing to demand what is due to you guys. You are able to recognise things when they are wrong and actually articulate them.”

However, he soon points out what he believes is the issue he has with Gen Z.

“The lack of shame,” he mentioned, stating that he is concerned about how you can find a 15-year-old insulting an older person.

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“Those fundamental societal cues that we had as Africans actually helped us.” He acknowledges this as he points out why the assumed “lack of shame” that Ama2k have may be detrimental.

The social responsibility influencers have

Essentially, the hosts were discussing a recent video in which a TikTok creator spoke about controversial things she had done in the past. The manner in which she spoke about her experiences, as well as the things she said, were considered socially unacceptable.

“If Paballo was living in a society that still carried, before posting that video, she would have been concerned about what her mother would say,” Phil said, using the TikTok creator’s video as a valid example.

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