The Story of Shenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu & Andile Junior

January 13, 2026 / Kings

When some women love, they love to the end, giving their all to the person they agree to be with. This usually comes with faithfulness, care, sacrifices, and affection. When this trust and these sacrifices are disregarded, to the extent of being cheated on, they sometimes lose it and act irrationally. This is true for Shenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu and her boyfriend, Andile Junior.

Background

Shenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu was born on 27 August 1994, (Age 31). She is a fashion enthusiast and hairstylist from Durban. She is the owner of Nenezane Hair Studio, one of the largest make-up and hair studios in Durban.

A mother to a handsome son, Shenhlanhla is described as a well-raised woman with strong Christian values, which have influenced her moderate lifestyle and business approach.

Viral Incident

On 12 January 2026, Shenhlanhla went viral on social media after an incident in which she allegedly poured fuel on her boyfriend’s car, belonging to Andile Junior, resulting in the vehicle catching fire. During the incident, the flames spread and injured her, causing burn-related injuries.

She was rushed to hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was stabilised. Despite her hospitalisation, her business continued operating.

In a statement, her family said:

“The family of Shenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu, owner of Nenezane Hair Studio, would like to confirm that she is currently recovering in the ICU and is in good spirits. We are sincerely grateful for the support and concern shown by the public during this time.”

Relationship with Andile Junior

Shenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu’s relationship with Andile Junior, aged 24, began a couple of years ago. While the relationship initially appeared loving, it eventually became toxic over time.

There were claims that Andile Junior physically abused her on several occasions. In addition, he was also alleged to have cheated on her multiple times. These incidents reportedly marked a breaking point for Shenhlanhla, who is more than seven years older than her boyfriend.

In January 2026, she went live on her Instagram story, streaming her actions that saw her pouring fuel on her cheating boyfriend’s car. While in tears, she was seen and heard asking South Africans to come to her aid as she was badly hurt.

Her only crime was loving a younger man. For a 31-year-old lady to date a 24-year-old male, it means she was really after love, something most Ama 2000 lack, and her love was betrayed. Although her actions are condemnable, a lot of South Africans became sympathetic to her struggles.

Criticism

Despite the public sympathy, many South Africans have criticised her actions and have called on the authorities to take action. As of January 2026, she remained hospitalised. However, once discharged, she may face possible charges related to assault and malicious damage to property, pending investigation.