South African singer and Amapiano star MaWhoo has found herself in hot water after being accused of promoting drinking and driving in a new car commercial. The Gucci hitmaker, whose real name is Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema, appeared in an advert for luxury vehicle brand Jaecoo, showcasing their latest model, the Jaecoo J5.
The campaign was intended to celebrate “affordable luxury and innovation,” but it quickly sparked controversy online for sending what many viewers called an “irresponsible message.”
In the advert — which was first shared online by entertainment commentator Musa Khawula on 5 October 2025 — MaWhoo is seen enjoying a solo outdoor picnic, complete with a charcuterie board and a glass of champagne. Moments later, she is shown getting into the driver’s seat of the Jaecoo J5 and driving away.
The scene immediately went viral, with many accusing both MaWhoo and Jaecoo of encouraging reckless behaviour. Social media users called out the advert for normalizing drinking and driving, an issue that continues to plague South Africa’s roads.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), alcohol consumption is linked to nearly 27% of all road fatalities in the country — making the backlash even more intense.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “This is beyond tone-deaf. You can’t have someone drinking champagne and then driving off like it’s normal — especially with South Africa’s road safety crisis.” Another added, “Brands need to be more responsible. This shouldn’t have been approved.”
Following the widespread outrage, Jaecoo swiftly took down the video from all its official social media platforms. However, the footage continues to circulate online as users question how the commercial was cleared in the first place.
In a statement shared with News24, Shannon Gahagan, the National Brand and Marketing Manager for Jaecoo and Omoga, addressed the controversy, reaffirming the company’s commitment to promoting responsible behaviour.
“We remain unwavering in our stance against drinking and driving and will continue to promote responsibility and uphold the highest standards across our community,” said Gahagan.
As of now, MaWhoo has not publicly commented on the incident. However, the controversy has reignited broader discussions around celebrity influence, brand accountability, and the portrayal of alcohol use in South African advertising.
A look inside MaWhoo's Jaecoo advertisement. pic.twitter.com/Q2tklXmqj8
— Musa Khawula (@Musa_Khawula) October 5, 2025
