Sizwe Dhlomo says ‘No’ to Lasizwe Dambuza's 'Awkward Dates': is he playing hard to get?

South African media personality Sizwe Dhlomo has turned down an invitation to appear on Lasizwe Dambuza’s popular YouTube show, "Awkward Dates". 

The request came after a fan expressed excitement about seeing Dhlomo as a guest on this wildly entertaining platform, known for its unfiltered displays of awkwardness and humorous moments.

The suggestion gained momentum when the show's creator, Dambuza, seized the opportunity presented by a fan on X. The user, known as @Sereng_K, voiced their enthusiasm for Dhlomo’s appearance, prompting Dambuza to extend a personal invitation.

“That would be so cool hey! @SizweDhlomo can I take you out on a date, I promise it won’t be awkward?” he wrote, trying to charm a response from the seasoned presenter. 

However, Dhlomo’s reply was both straightforward and polite, as he told Dambuza, “Nah, I don’t do interviews bro. Good show though. If ever I have something to promote one day, I’ll hit you up. Keep up the good work.” 

This response, while polite, sparked a wave of reactions from social media users who began to dissect Dhlomo’s rationale behind declining the invitation.

Critics quickly pointed out that the star has recently been featured on interviews for platforms like “Podcast and Chill” and the “L-Tido Podcast”, leading to contrasting opinions on his decision to remain detached from "Awkward Dates".

One user commented, “But Sizwe, you will just be acting, come on ... you don't have to tell the truth about your life. You keep it at 16% and make everything up there at the date.”

Meanwhile, others questioned the fairness of his stance, suggesting that waiting to appear only when promoting something diminishes engagement with fans. 

“Is it fair to only want to go when promoting something?” asked another user, while a more understanding fan added, “I hardly agree with Sizwe but, well handled my brother. You'd be dragged had you said ‘No, thank you’. We live on eggshells these days.”

Meanwhile, Dambuza has been busy fulfilling his aspirations by inviting an exciting line-up of celebrity guests to his show. 

Last month, he took to Instagram to share his dream list, which included names like television personality Bonang Matheba, Grammy winner Tyla, and former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi. Notably, Tunzi has already accepted the invitation and appeared in a recent episode two weeks back, delighting audiences with their engaging chemistry.

Since its inception in 2022, "Awkward Dates" has captivated viewers with its blend of unfiltered questions and candid, sometimes uncomfortable moments.

The show has earned its place as a fan favourite, charming audiences with snippets of flirtation, humourous missteps, and touchingly awkward silences.