Get to Know Famous Olwethu, the Content Creator Showing There Are Levels to the Game
A son of the soil of Malukazi in Umlazi, south-west of Durban, Olwethu Mhlongo, popularly known as Famous Olwethu, has always been a star chaser. His eyes were set on fame way before content creation was even a thing, a long time before TikTok and viral skits existed. Driven by the ambition to be known and recognised as an actor, Olwethu’s heart longed for the satisfaction of making people laugh and being a source of entertainment—in his words, “If there was a chance to perform or make people smile, I was always first in line.”
Now a content creator, influencer and brand collaborator with the likes of SHEIN and TEMU, the 21-year-old has established himself as one of his generation’s most prolific and entertaining social media stars, boasting over 800K TikTok followers as well as over 570K Facebook followers.
“I grew up in an environment where many people were chasing different dreams. As a funny, friendly, and outgoing person, I started to realise that I had the potential to make a name for myself in the entertainment industry. I believed that my personality could help me connect with people and build something bigger than myself. Growing up in Durban motivated me even more. Durban is full of talented people, but it also comes with challenges. Instead of letting those challenges stop me, they pushed me to work harder and stay focused. Today, Famous Olwethu is more than just a name; it is a dream that I am turning into reality one step at a time,” he said of his childhood and the inspiration behind his persona.
Famous Olwethu | SUPPLIED
He also acknowledged the support of his parents.
“My parents played a huge role in my journey. They always encouraged me to dream big, work hard, and never give up. Their support gave me the confidence to believe that anything is possible,” he said.
Although Famous Olwethu has achieved remarkable success as a solo act on the socials, racking up in excess of 1 million followers across his TikTok and Facebook accounts, Mhlongo is still part of the Abatalabhi collective. Widely known for their viral videos, which feature their catchphrase “Ngathi Akuhambanga Kahle,” Olwethu spoke about the importance of the group and how it all began for them when they journeyed into content creation.
“Our content creation journey started when we saw the importance of teamwork and the power of bringing different ideas together. We believed that creativity becomes stronger when people work towards the same goal. As a group, we shared a passion for entertainment and making people laugh. Each person brought something different to the table, and that helped us create content that people could enjoy and relate to. Sometimes our ideas were crazy, sometimes they were funny, but they always came from a genuine place,” he said.
Olwethu as part of Abatalabhi | SUPPLIED
Olwethu talked about the call that attracted him to roll alone, and the lessons flying by himself have taught him thus far.
“My aim in branching out and going solo was to grow as an individual and challenge myself in new ways. When people work together, ideas naturally change over time, and everyone starts following different paths, even when they share the same dream. Working on my own has taught me independence, responsibility, and discipline. It has pushed me to trust my creativity and make decisions for myself. It has also helped me build my own identity while still appreciating the lessons I learned from working in a group,” he said.
Beyond keeping his audience in stitches, Mhlongo shared that he wished to be remembered as a dream chaser, an inspiration to his followers, and a guiding star pointing people to their own paths of success.
“The impact I want to leave is to inspire people to never stop chasing their goals. I want to be remembered as someone who stayed focused, worked hard, and grabbed opportunities with both hands. Through my content, I want people to see that success is possible if you believe in yourself and stay consistent. If my journey can motivate even one person to keep going when things get tough, then I will feel that I have done something meaningful,” he said.
Famous Olwethu | SUPPLIED
From brand partnerships to building a massive following across several major social media platforms, Olwethu talked about his proudest milestones.
“One of my greatest achievements has been building my own community on social media and growing an audience of millions of people. It still amazes me that content created from simple ideas can reach so many people and bring them laughter.
“Another proud moment has been working with major brands that trusted me and my platform. I am also grateful for the recognition I have received across South Africa, where many people know me for my humour and creativity. Being able to make people laugh and turn that passion into a career is something I am very proud of,” he said.
Famous Olwethu on TikTok:
Olwethu forecasted better days on the horizon, optimistic about more brand deals and growth as a creative.
“The future looks very exciting for Famous Olwethu. Over the next few years, I want to continue growing my content platforms and reaching even more people across South Africa, Africa, and beyond. I want to keep sharing authentic stories, entertaining content, and moments that people can relate to. I also want to take my music career to the next level through new Gqom projects, performances, and collaborations with talented artists. Beyond music, I see myself exploring acting and television because storytelling has always been one of my biggest passions.
“I look forward to collaborating with more brands, artists, and content creators who believe in creativity, hard work, and making a positive impact. My goal is to build a lasting entertainment brand, create opportunities for young people, and become one of South Africa’s leading entertainers. Most importantly, I want my journey to show people that no dream is too big when you are willing to work for it,” he said.