South African actress and DJ Thuli Phongolo has sent the internet into a frenzy, sparking a conversation online after using her Instagram stories to vent about men who spend on designer clothes but neglect their personal hygiene.
Phongolo, who often shares glimpses of her own luxury lifestyle on social media, admits that she is baffled at how some men in this day and age still lack the desire to take care of themselves.
She has even revealed plans to start a page dedicated to giving men step-by-step hygiene tips, saying women are the ones left to deal with the consequences.
“I just don’t get it … why would a person have so much access to information – social media, Google, family, friends, etc. – and still lack personal hygiene or the desire to fix things that could contribute to their well-being and confidence,” she asks.
The actress (31) points out the irony of men being dressed in high-end clothes from head to toe while battling with bad breath.
“Imagine being dripped in designer head-to-toe, but you suffer from halitosis. PLEASE MAN, FOR YOURSELF,” she says.
Phongolo went on to list what she believes every man should prioritise, which is adopting a proper hygiene routine, consulting doctors when needed, exercising, eating well and even working on their mental health.
She also made it clear that having money is not an excuse to ignore basic care.
“The big bellies aren’t healthy.
It’s not a look, it’s a health concern,” she adds, urging men to keep themselves neat and presentable.
Closing off her rant, Phongolo delivers a message on behalf of women: “Gentlemen, please, most of you are slacking. The ladies sent me to tell you that we are suffering and you speak so close to our faces.”
A screenshot of her post was brought to X (formerly Twitter) and quickly drew reactions online, with many agreeing that hygiene should never take a backseat to luxury.
X user @Fif_laaa echoed the same sentiments. “They’re gonna cook her, but she’s not wrong. A lot of men suffer with personal hygiene, even our peers. The halitosis one is the most triggering, go to an oral hygienist PLEASE!
While @Gee__Mot says: “Maybe they’ll listen when it’s a baddie telling them. All the money in the world doesn’t make up for bad manners, bad breath, poor physical/mental health and poor basic hygiene. There are many aspects to improving oneself.”
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