So much in love: How a Facebook post sparked a romance between Seagirl, Jayden

NOVUYO Seagirl, the talented singer, actress and dancer, and Ishmael Jayden Mdluli Nyathi, the witty social commentator and comedian, have found love in each other after Nyathi confessed his crush on her on Facebook.

Nyathi, who is known for his humorous posts and videos, was serious when he expressed his admiration for Seagirl, who is famous for her hit song A-E-I-O-U. He said he was initially drawn to her beauty, voice and humour, but later discovered that they had a lot in common.

“Initially, I was attracted to her physical appearance and attributes including her captivating voice and sense of humour. However, as I got to know her better, I discovered that she has an interesting personality and we share common interests,” he said.

Seagirl, on the other hand, was sceptical at first when she saw Nyathi’s post. She had met him in 2019 at the Skyz Metro FM Music Awards, where his late brother, Trust Fidelis Nyathi, had told her about his crush on her. She thought it was a joke, until Nyathi made it public in 2021.

“I first met Jayden in 2019 at the Skyz Metro FM Music Awards. I happened to be interacting with his late brother, Trust Fidelis Nyathi who would always mention how much his brother had a crush on me. At the time, I didn’t believe him and thought he was joking. It wasn’t until 2021 when he publicly posted on Facebook, openly admitting his feelings for me, that he finally caught my attention. However, I still didn’t take it seriously, assuming it was just one of his funny social media posts,” she said.

It was only when they met again earlier this year that they felt a spark and decided to give their relationship a chance. Seagirl said she chose Nyathi because of their chemistry, connection and compatibility.

“There was an undeniable chemistry between us. We had a deep connection and shared many similar interests and values. Furthermore, I felt a sense of respect and understanding in his presence. These factors combined made it an easy decision to be in a relationship with him,” she said.

Nyathi, who goes by the stage name MrNyathiSir, is not only a comedian, but also a musician and an information technologist. He recently collaborated with Mzoe7 and Umnikazi Wempuphu on a song called Kungcono, which they performed at the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAAs) last month. He also has plans to become an online counsellor for mental health issues.

Seagirl, who is also a loving partner, praised Nyathi for his intelligence and problem-solving skills. She said he once surprised her with an African Kalimba Mbira, a musical instrument that she had always wanted to have.

However, being celebrities in the public eye also comes with challenges, such as scrutiny, criticism and unwanted attention. Seagirl said they had to deal with these issues, as well as the distance between them, as she moved to Victoria Falls in July to pursue other artistic opportunities.

“Our actions and choices are constantly scrutinised, which can place strain on our personal lives. Also, there is the added challenge of encountering people who are solely interested in dating us for our celebrity status rather than genuine connections,” she said.

“The distance and mismatched schedules have made it difficult for us to spend quality time together and this has put a strain on our relationship.

Occasionally, feelings of distrust and insecurity (ubukhwele) have arisen die to the nature of her work but I’m grateful that we have been able to establish clear expectations and find creative ways to stay connected despite the distance,” she added.

Their love story is unconventional, as they both had reservations about long-distance relationships and dating within their industry. But they overcame their doubts and followed their hearts, proving that love can overcome any obstacle.

They are not in a hurry to tie the knot, though, as they prefer to keep their plans private and avoid jinxing their relationship. — @MbuleloMpofu