The highly publicized divorce settlement between Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee, whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumalo, and Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa has concluded this week, following a protracted separation. The legal proceedings resulted in a significant ruling: Black Coffee has been ordered to pay spousal support to his ex-wife. Furthermore, his attempt to enforce an antenuptial contract, which he claimed was signed later in their marriage, was dismissed by the court. The couple initially tied the knot in a traditional wedding ceremony in 2011 and publicly announced their separation in 2019.

The court's decision has ignited widespread debate among South Africans, particularly regarding the necessity and implications of spousal support in customary marriages. Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa (no relation to Enhle) expressed sympathy for Black Coffee on social media, emphasizing the ruling as a lesson for those considering marriage. He highlighted that the court interpreted the payment of 'amalobolo' (lobola) as the official start date of their customary marriage, which then meant they were married in community of property. Penuel noted that the court invalidated the pre-nup, asserting that Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa was misled and lacked proper legal advice. He also questioned the court's authority to override pre-nups, suggesting that such contracts no longer guarantee automatic protection.

Conversely, content creator Slick Talk publicly sided with Enhle Mbali, extending his congratulations to her. He criticized Black Coffee for reportedly dating again so soon after the marriage split, stating, “It just tells me what kind of simp you are….He got played like a fiddle. My respect for Enhle Mbali has gone through the roof.” Radio personality Penny Lebyane also voiced support for Enhle, remarking on the actress's youth and potential naivete when she first became involved with the DJ.

Amidst the discourse, a throwback image of Enhle Mbali supporting Black Coffee at a music gig has resurfaced, further fueling discussions. Social media users have cited this image to support claims that Enhle stood by her ex-husband from the nascent stages of his career, before he achieved significant success. Many have argued that she is indeed entitled to support, given her contributions to their household and family life while he toured internationally. Enhle herself had previously stated that she endured multiple instances of infidelity by her ex-husband during their marriage.

The couple's journey began nearly two decades ago when they met on the set of the TV series Tshisa. In a 2017 interview with Anele Mdoda, Enhle recounted how she initially declined Black Coffee's date invitation after discovering he was a DJ. She was eventually persuaded to attend one of his gigs, leading to an unconventional first date at his home, where they shared microwave food until the early hours. This glimpse into their humble beginnings further underscored the narratives of Enhle's foundational support.

Adding another layer to the public's understanding, a clip from Black Coffee's 2022 interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast has resurfaced. In it, the DJ openly discusses moving on from Enhle Mbali and celebrating his single identity, stating, “Life is going to be so dope now that I’m a single guy.” At the time, he was secretly dating Venezuelan model Victoria Gonzalez. He also shared insights into his search for happiness, revealing he purchased a house for his party lifestyle and a neighboring one for his mother and children. He mused about how to celebrate his divorce being finalized, concluding that happiness is a continuous journey rather than a fixed destination.

In a separate interview with Kaya FM last year, Black Coffee reflected on the reasons behind the dissolution of his marriage to Enhle Mbali. He attributed some challenges to his personal modeling of marriage, influenced by his parents' marital failures and his upbringing without both of them. He acknowledged a desire to be “the driver of this thing…” but admitted forgetting “there is someone next to you.” Despite the past, Black Coffee confirmed that he has not ruled out the possibility of remarrying in the future. The former couple shares two sons, Anesu and Asante, and their divorce marks a definitive end to a much-scrutinized chapter.