Vusi Thembekwayo’s star-studded moment with Oprah, TD Jakes

Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo recently shared the stage with award-winning TV host Oprah Winfrey and pastor TD Jakes at the Good Soil Forum 2025 in the United States.

During this event, Thembekwayo delivered a masterclass on scaling businesses, marking a significant milestone in his career.

In his address, Thembekwayo expressed his pride in being the first-ever speaker from Africa at the Good Soil Forum.

He said: “Honoured to have been the first ever speaker from Africa at the 2025 Good Soil Forum, sharing the stage with global icons. It was a profound honour to represent our continent and deliver a masterclass on scaling businesses, directly from our battle-tested roadmap of
@SchoolOfScale.”

Following the event, Thembekwayo took the opportunity to address his long-term rival, Sizwe Dhlomo.

Notorious Twitter troll Chris Excel congratulated Thembekwayo, commenting: “Our brother Vusi Thembekwayo sharing the stage with Oprah Winfrey and TD Jakes Dinangwe (Dhlomo clan name) can only SBWL.”

Thembekwayo’s retweet garnered a flood of reactions from his fans and followers, showcasing their support.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

@Bongi401002372 wrote: “This is phenomenal.”

@SirDavid_Dashe said: “uDinangwe is gonna say he scammed them.”

@ShedoPumping added: “Congratulations, man. Keep winning and inspiring us.”

@HoVa_da_Medici shared: “You didn’t just speak, you stamped history. What a moment. What a mission. Salute, King. The continent is louder because of you.”

Thembekwayo and Dhlomo have a well-documented, long-standing feud that often plays out in public and on social media.

Numerous media outlets have reported on their clashes, with Dhlomo frequently reacting to mentions of Thembekwayo, and vice versa.

Their rivalry has even extended to discussions on podcasts and in social media comments.

While the exact reasons for the feud are not clear, it appears to stem from a clash of personalities and professional paths.

Some reports suggest that Dhlomo has taken issue with Thembekwayo’s public persona and perceived arrogance, while others indicate that Thembekwayo has responded to Dhlomo’s comments and actions.

The feud has been described by some as a “celebrity feud that refuses to die”, highlighting its persistence and public nature. – iol.co.za

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.