Drug Addict Bongi Becomes Viral Star After Being Taken to Rehab by Mr Moloto
- A video of an addict being fetched for rehab went viral, primarily due to his surprisingly calm demeanour and an English twang
- The video highlighted the work that Mr Moloto and his team are doing in helping drug addicts and rehabilitating them
- The clip has sparked significant conversation in South Africa about addiction and mental health, with many rooting for Bongi's journey
- Briefly News spoke to Nqobile Mnisi, a social scientist with a Master’s degree in Social and Psychological Research, and also reached out to Dr Gama, an educational psychologist who holds a PhD in psychology
South Africans were highly entertained and moved by a viral TikTok video showing a man's humorous and calm reaction to being fetched for rehab, prompting widespread discussion about addiction, mental health, and compassionate recovery efforts.
Source: Twitter
South Africans were in stitches after a TikTok video showed a man named Bongi being fetched for rehab. Still, instead of resisting, he welcomed his surprise visitors with humour, charm, and a thick English twang that stole the show.
The now-viral clip, posted by user @iamcoffy_zar, captured the moment Mr Moloto and others entered Bongi’s room, hoping to help him take the first step toward recovery. But Bongi, clearly unbothered, switched on his accent, casually engaging with the crew like they were long-lost friends.
“Ng’cela ung’fakele iPlug,” he said with complete calm, asking strangers to help him with a phone charger, as if nothing unusual was going on. His cool demeanour, humour, and confused-but-chilled energy had TikTok users crying with laughter.
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Bongi's journey sparks crucial conversations.
While many were amused by Bongi’s performance and one-liners, like mispronouncing Turkish as turquoise, while others reflected on the reality behind the laughs. Bongi, a man struggling with addiction, is being given a second chance, and viewers across Mzansi are rooting for his recovery.
The clip has also sparked meaningful conversations about addiction, mental health, and how society treats struggling individuals. As the video continues to trend, people are calling for updates on Bongi’s journey. Whether it was the accent, the unbothered vibe, or the unexpected humour, Bongi reminded us that even in the darkest times, a little light can shine through, and it often starts with a plug.
Speaking to Briefly News, Nqobile Mnisi, a social scientist and PhD candidate, shared insights on mental health, addiction recovery, and community support. Mnisi explained that mental health care plays a crucial role in supporting long-term addiction recovery, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma or homelessness.
“Substance use often becomes a way of coping with emotional pain, especially when psychological support is not available. Recovery is not just about stopping the substance use; it is also about helping people rebuild their emotional well-being and overall quality of life.”
On the importance of community involvement, Mnisi emphasised that feeling seen and supported can motivate individuals to seek help. However, the approach matters. Reflecting on Bongi’s case, she noted that being taken to rehab unexpectedly may leave someone feeling ambushed and resistant.
"Support from the community can make a meaningful difference in whether someone takes the first step toward recovery. For many individuals who use substances, feelings of isolation, stigma, and hopelessness can make it difficult to ask for help. When people feel seen and supported by others, they may be more likely to accept assistance."
She added:
"However, the way support is offered matters. In some situations, people may feel overwhelmed or caught off guard when approached unexpectedly. In one widely shared video, Bongi, a young man being taken to rehab, expressed that he felt ambushed and would have preferred a direct conversation with his family. He voiced frustration and hurt, even saying that the way things were handled made him feel less motivated to recover. This highlights an important point found in research: individuals are more likely to engage in treatment when they feel respected and involved in the process. Support that feels collaborative and non-judgmental can build trust and improve outcomes. Care that takes into account a person’s emotional safety is more likely to encourage long-term recovery (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020).
When asked about the impact of social media attention on recovery, Mnisi shared that public exposure can be a double-edged sword. While it may bring encouragement or resources, it can also create pressure and vulnerability, especially if the person didn’t consent to being filmed.
“Going viral during such a personal and emotional time can affect someone’s recovery in complex ways. On one hand, public attention may bring encouragement or lead to resources and support. On the other hand, being exposed on social media can be overwhelming, especially if the person did not consent to being filmed or shared publicly. In the early stages of recovery, individuals are still navigating very sensitive emotional territory. When someone’s story is widely shared without their input, they may feel vulnerable, judged, or pressured to meet public expectations. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020) notes that people with both mental health and substance use challenges are particularly vulnerable during recovery and may experience setbacks.”
Dr Gama shared her professional insights on the matter, touching on the mental, emotional, and communal layers involved in recovery. On the importance of mental health support during recovery, she said:
“Mental health support during recovery is very important. This can take many forms, therapy, rehab, friendship, community support, etc. Substance abuse usually indicates deeper underlying issues that someone is escaping from. For instance, it could be poverty, a bad relationship, pain of unrequited dreams, joblessness, and so on."
"In the case of Bongi, who is a homeless person, we’ve seen many situations where street children escape hunger and discrimination by constantly staying high. Mental health support goes to the root cause of the escapism. For example, if someone is in therapy, they can learn skills to reframe their thinking about their circumstances and find healthier ways to deal with pain instead of relying on maladaptive coping mechanisms."
"They could also gain awareness of how their environment contributes to sustaining addiction and be encouraged to make changes. That said, if their friends are good, their support can serve as a valuable system between professional interventions. Many studies of street children show that friends are often their biggest support network. Still, we must remember that the resilience of homeless people requires more than just mental health support. They need practical solutions to their problems so they don't constantly ‘escape’ through substance use.”
On the role of community support:
“Community support is important during recovery because it humanises people’s struggles, especially for someone like Bongi, who lives on the sidelines of society. This support can give a sense of belonging and the feeling that ‘someone cares about me,’ even in my current state. This can create positive pressure to take community support systems seriously. But, community support alone is not enough. The individual must also be willing to go through the process and desire to become a better version of themselves. Otherwise, we risk situations where communities want recovery more than the person does.”
On the pros and cons of social media attention during recovery:
“There are both pros and cons to social media attention during recovery. On the positive side, social media can offer many voices of encouragement, helping someone see they are not alone. There’s a sense of having an ‘army’ of supporters cheering you on. People also share their own recovery journeys, which can make the person feel seen and understood. And the added pressure to not disappoint followers may create accountability."
"On the downside, too much attention during such a volatile time can be overwhelming. Negative or doubting comments can be damaging, making the individual feel the process is too long or difficult, especially if people reference others who have failed before. Another major con is that a person might feel like social media owns them and their story. The pressure of ‘failing in front of everyone’ could drive them back to using substances just to numb the stress and expectations.”
Source: TikTok
Mzansi reacted to the video
Wizzy wale eazyy commented:
"The real Mr Moloto! 😂"
Dimples asked:
"Am I toxic for liking Bongi? 😂"
Life with Lile asked:
"Did he mean to say turquoise? 😭"
Mpho Mampa wrote
"Our one and only Mr Moloto!"
Nthabi said:
"Please, Mr Moloto, as a country, we’re begging for a Bongi follow-up! 😂 We wanna check on him. 🥰"
Xah Dlo-kov commented:
"I love that level of laziness. He really said, “Ng’cela ung’fakele iPlug” to total strangers! 🤣🤣🤣"
Euterpe commented:
"Bongi is the most confused yet chilled person ever. 🤣🤣🤣"
Itsjust_sharon shared:
"The effort it took to find a roof that matches the original video… 😭🙌🏽"
Jay wrote:
"Lol, Bongi is from my hood… super chilled. I’m really glad he got help. 🙏🏽"
Citaa commented:
"Look at my mom, she already packed for me. 😂🤣"
Watch the TikTok video below:
3 Briefly News stories related to Mr Moloto
- MojaLove TV didn't waste time, as they dropped the new Sizok'thola trailer, with some calling on Mr Moloto to be a part of it.
- A heartwarming video of LADGAC’s New Year’s Eve celebration made the rounds on social media, showing Mr Molotogiving a heartfelt speech.
- The founder of the Limpopo Anti-Drugs, Gangsterism, and Crime, Mr Moloto, tied the knot, and visuals of the celebrations circulated online.
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Source: Briefly News
