Offensive Remarks on Open Chats Podcast Spark Public Outrage and Legal Action

A popular South African platform, Open Chats Podcast, known for unfiltered conversations, has recently been on the tip of everyone's lips. This podcast has come under fire after one of the recent episodes made offensive remarks about the coloured community. Guests on the show made disrespectful statements saying that coloured people are “mentally crazy" following up with one of the hosts Mthokozizi saying, “apparently coloured people chow (have sex) with each other, this video clip went viral, and the audience reacted to it. These statements played down as jokes in the moment were seen as blatant racism and the defence of long-standing, harmful stereotypes. 

A lawsuit is in progress for the podcast and demands for accountability are growing louder. The public and the social media platforms like TikTok were swift and fierce with hashtags like #OpenChatsIsCancelled and #StopColouredStereotypes. 

One of the TikTokers, icomplain01 said: “Coloured people are angry and rightfully so, I am so glad they are taking a stand, they are addressing this, and they are calling this out for what it is. It's racism, this really draws attention to a topic that a lot of black people don't want to discuss and that black people are racist…”

One of the guest influencers Honeshma Margardio, known as “Neshma” issued a heartfelt and sincere apology to the Coloured community on Instagram. “I was ignorant. I didn't understand the harm of my words, but now I do. I am truly sorry," she wrote. And on the 6th of August 2025 the Open Chats Podcast posted a formal apology on its official Instagram page, stating: “We would like to address this matter respectfully and leave no room for assumptions. We acknowledge the hurt caused by the clip that continues to circulate online and would like to communicate our genuine regret for life.”

The podcast also responded by saying the video has been removed from the episodes on the podcast. Despite the apology, the coloured community is still angry. Siyaam Pieterse on TikTok, tagged the Open Chat Podcast and said, “We do not accept the apology what is done is done!!! This cannot be tolerated or ignored!!! Our people are already dealing with so much this is unacceptable behaviour. It needs to be addressed and dealt with immediately.”

Gayton Mckenzie said on a TikTok video: “You are going to learn, this is where we draw the line”. Mckenzie said Liam Jacobs opened a police case on the 7th of August 2025 at 7:30, and that they will go to the Open Chat Podcast building and find out who the landlord is to deal with this matter.