“I Just Want to Watch TV”: School Kid Crashes Out, Refusing to Do Homework

• A TikTok video of a boy in a tiger-striped onesie refusing to do homework and wanting to watch TV went viral
• Many Mzansi viewers related to the frustration and shared their own homework memories when they were still young
• Teachers and parents joined in the laughs, recognising the familiar battle between responsibilities and relaxation

South Africans laughed at a viral clip of a boy in a tiger onesie refusing homework, choosing to watch TV over schoolwork, in a scene many could relate to in many ways.

A hilarious and relatable moment is making waves on TikTok after a young boy had an emotional standoff over homework. The clip, posted by user @Mbesa_Nduks on 13 August 2025, shows him dressed in a tiger-striped onesie, eyes brimming with tears, declaring that he just wanted to watch TV instead of doing schoolwork. While it's unclear where the video was taken, the moment took place inside the house where the young boy wanted to chill instead of focusing on his books. The overlay text reads:

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“POV: your brother hates doing homework. He’s very impatient.”

From the look on his face, no amount of persuasion was going to motivate him to complete his assignments. Since its upload, the video has gathered over 5,100 likes, nearly 200 comments, and close to 200 shares.

When homework meets humour

The comments are filled with people laughing and recalling their own childhood homework battles. Some adults even admitted they still feel the same way about work deadlines, proving that the struggle between responsibilities and relaxation never really ends.

Teachers also chimed in, saying they instantly recognised the look of resistance from their own classrooms. The video’s charm lies in its authenticity. It’s not staged or exaggerated, just a genuine snapshot of the timeless tug-of-war between what children need to do and what they’d rather do.

Mzansi reacted to the video

Lulabele said:

"Start implementing a no TV on school days rule, that will set him straight. I don't play mina, anything below 75% is a fail in my house. Obviously, I give a lot of support and assist her to achieve academic success."

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BoY BoY said:

"Uzofika kwa Gr12 evile sana. 😭😭🙌🏾"

Caroline Khoza said:

"Just let him watch TV in peace. 😔😭"

Noxolo Mthembu said:

"Akaye boarding school uzokhala zize zome. 😂😭"

Omphile said:

"Save button, I want to post this on my status because my brother is exactly like this.😭😭"

Maggie Mangena said:

"Ngeke alunge ngama assignment. 😭"

Faithy said:

"Iyadika nyani ihomework. 😒😒"

Cari_Chanelle said:

"Let him watch TV. 😩 Homework is stressful."

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News stories about homework

• One South African gent's tolerance for a boy while he taught him as he did his homework ran thin.
• A patient mother recorded herself helping her young son with Afrikaans homework, teaching each other new words.
• A little boy left the online community with mixed reactions as he was captured doing his homework in sadness.

Source: Briefly News