Johannesburg – 2024 has proven to be a tumultuous year for several South African celebrities, and the well-known couple, former reality TV star Annie Ludick-Mthembu and her husband, businessman Kgolo “Daguru” Mthembu, are no exception. The pair have faced a series of setbacks, both personal and professional, leaving them hoping for a fresh start in 2025.

The year began on a rocky note for Kgolo. In a public airing of grievances, Durban DJ Wobbly, real name Andile Mahlinza, accused Kgolo of owing him significant sums of money for bookings at his establishments, Rich and Views. Wobbly detailed his struggles to secure payment, even resorting to borrowing money from friends to meet his financial obligations.

“I have pulled up for you, getting loans from my friends just to get to your establishments to work, getting loans to survive from August and now I’m back home staying with my mom again as a 32-year-old father,” he lamented.

“It hurts me to do this but I’ve tried and tried to get answers about my payments for Rich and Views; till today I haven’t received any communication from you because no one else has answers.” This public accusation highlighted the financial pressures Kgolo was facing.

Adding to his financial woes, Kgolo’s Durban nightclub, Viewz Urban Grill and Rooftop (formerly Views At Twenty5), faced imminent closure earlier this year. A friend of a DJ working at the venue revealed that producer and DJ Bongz, real name Bongani Dlamini, stepped in to rescue the struggling business.

“Bongz rescued the place as it was going to completely shut down,” the friend explained. “Kgolo has been going through some challenges, and it only made sense to hand it over to a friend who is in the music business instead of a stranger.” This sale underscores the severity of the financial difficulties Kgolo experienced.

The financial difficulties were not the only challenges the couple faced in 2024. In February, reports emerged that staff members at Kgolo’s Durban nightclub had not received their salaries, allegedly due to significant financial losses incurred by the business. These reports further illustrate the extent of the financial strain on Kgolo’s business ventures.

Further compounding the couple’s difficulties was the loss of Gugu Phahla, the mother of Kgolo’s first-born child. In a poignant message shared at the time, Kgolo expressed his grief and offered comfort to his daughter.

“Dear Daughter, We have survived a lot of storms together. This too shall pass, and everything is going to be okay,” he wrote. This personal tragedy added another layer of complexity to the couple’s already challenging year.

Adding insult to injury, Annie and Kgolo have also been subjected to intense social media bullying. Annie publicly addressed rumours of infidelity and marital troubles after a blogger exposed details of their relationship.

She acknowledged the challenges they have faced, stating, “There are evil, toxic, dangerous people who have a personal agenda against, in fact, who are out to destroy me.” Despite our attempts to contact them for comment, Annie and Kgolo did not respond to our inquiries.