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South African DJ and entrepreneur Ntombezinhle “DJ Zinhle” Jiyane has found herself at the center of a social media storm as fans question whether she shows more affection for her eldest daughter, Kairo Forbes, than her younger daughter, Asante Mahosana.
The speculation, fueled by Zinhle’s frequent posts featuring Kairo, has led some to wonder if her past relationship with Kairo’s late father, rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, plays a role in the perceived favoritism over her current husband, Bongani “Murdah Bongz” Mohosana, Asante’s father. But is there truth to these claims, or is Mzansi reading too much into a mother’s social media feed?
The buzz began when fans noticed Zinhle, 42, often shares moments with Kairo, now 10, on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she has 5.7 million followers. Kairo, born in July 2015 to Zinhle and AKA, is a social media star in her own right, boasting over 1.4 million Instagram followers, managed by her grandmother, Lynn Forbes.
Posts like a May 2023 TikTok of Kairo begging Zinhle to come home from work, which garnered 2.3 million views, and a February 2024 video of Kairo and Asante dancing to “make muffins grow,” highlight her prominence. Asante, born September 8, 2021, to Zinhle and Murdah Bongz, appears less frequently, prompting comments like @JoziGossip’s X post: “Why’s Kairo always on Zinhle’s page but Asante’s barely there? Still hung up on AKA?”
Fans have pointed to Zinhle’s complex history with AKA, who was gunned down in Durban on February 10, 2023, at age 35. Their on-again, off-again relationship, which began around 2012, was marked by public highs—like Kairo’s birth—and lows, including a 2015 split after AKA’s affair with Bonang Matheba.
A 2021 episode of The Era By DJ Zinhle on BET Africa revealed AKA’s warmth toward Asante, saying she “feels like my baby” because of his bond with Zinhle, sparking debate about blended families. Some fans, like @ZuluQueenFan, argue Zinhle’s posts reflect Kairo’s need for extra attention after losing her father: “Kairo’s been through trauma. Zinhle’s just being a mom.” Others, like @SpriteLad, speculate: “Maybe she loved AKA more, and Kairo’s a reminder.”
However, evidence suggests Zinhle’s love for both daughters is unwavering. On Asante’s third birthday in September 2024, Zinhle posted a heartfelt Instagram caption: “Happy birthday to the superstar of the family. The cutest & most entertaining baby. I adore you so much sweet Saint.” Murdah’s post echoed this, calling Asante’s hugs his “solution” to life’s problems.
A June 2025 Father’s Day video showed Zinhle praising Murdah’s devotion to both girls, with fans noting Asante and Kairo’s equal presence in family moments, like a December 2024 Christmas post captioned, “Dj Zinhle with Asante & Kairo ❤🔥🔥.” Zinhle’s 2022 Glamour SA interview emphasized both daughters as her “pride and joy,” with Kairo embracing her big-sister role to Asante.
The perception of favoritism may stem from Kairo’s older age and public persona. At 10, Kairo models for Zinhle’s Era By DJ Zinhle kiddies’ watch line, launched in 2019, and dances in viral videos, naturally drawing more spotlight. Asante, just 4, is less active online, with posts often tied to family moments, like a 2022 News24 feature on Kairo teaching her shapes.
Zinhle’s 2019 TimesLIVE interview explained Kairo’s independence comes from her and AKA’s busy careers, a trait less visible in toddler Asante. A 2022 Zimoja quote from Zinhle—“Juggling work and kids is my biggest challenge”—suggests time constraints, not preference, shape her posts.
Social media’s lens distorts reality. Murdah’s birthday messages, scrutinized in September 2025 for being longer for Kairo than Asante, were defended by fans like @Mlimo_Insider: “Kairo’s older, she reads the posts. Asante’s a toddler, it’s different.” Zinhle’s fierce defense of Kairo against 2020 Twitter trolls, slamming attacks on her then-4-year-old, shows her protective streak extends to both children.
The tragedy of AKA’s death, coupled with other Mzansi stories like Zahara’s family drama or June Steenkamp’s fight for justice, underscores the public’s hunger for narrative. Yet, Zinhle’s actions—balancing her Era empire, Umlilo’s 5.1 million streams, and motherhood—point to a mom stretched thin, not one playing favorites.
The speculation about Zinhle loving Kairo more than Asante, or AKA more than Murdah, lacks solid ground. Her posts reflect a mother navigating grief, fame, and parenting under Mzansi’s watchful eye. As Uzalo’s Thuthuka Mthembu faces her own pregnancy rumors, Zinhle’s saga shows how quickly fans weave stories from snapshots. Will Mzansi let Zinhle mother in peace, or will the scrutiny persist? For now, her love for Kairo and Asante shines through, equal but expressed in ways shaped by their ages and her reality.
