When 18-year-old Mo Madiba posted a TikTok asking Tyla to be his matric dance date, no one, not even him, could’ve predicted what would happen next.
Johannesburg, South Africa (28 June 2025) – A Johannesburg matriculant, Mollwane “Mo” Madiba, had the audacity to dream big… and the heart to put it out into the world. In February, Mo posted a bold TikTok, Grammy Award-winning global sensation, Tyla, to be his matric dance date.
What started as a sweet, hopeful gesture soon turned into a nationwide moment of joy.
5FM caught wind of Mo’s story and immediately got behind it. The station shared his journey, interviewed him on-air and rallied the country to support this young dreamer. The hashtag went viral. Listeners got involved. And hope started to sparkle.
At one point, word came through that Tyla had seen the video and was genuinely moved… but wouldn’t be able to attend. Still, Mo was chuffed.
“She noticed me,” he said at the time, which already felt like a win.
But 5FM wasn’t done.
On the night of the matric dance, hosted in the elegant Mears Hall at St Stithians Boys’ College, the energy was electric. Mo looked dapper, his spirit high, and the station was there, covering every glitzy second. Then, after speeches were done and everyone had settled in, something unexpected happened…
Tyla’s brand-new song “Is it” suddenly filled the room, one of the very first public plays of the track. The excitement as palpable.
And then… the real twist.
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With the crowd still buzzing, the announcement dropped: Tyla was actually there. In person. At the dance. For Mo.
South Africa’s golden girl, born in Edenvale and now lighting up global stages, had pulled off the ultimate surprise. And the reaction was absolute euphoria. Mo’s face said it all. A dream he’d dared to share with the world had come true.
They met. They danced. They sang.
“On the dancefloor she said, ‘Come, we’re singing!’ and shouted ‘Mollwane and Tyla for MD!’”
Mo shared, still riding the high. “I heard her say that I’m a gentleman, by the way. Thank you, Tyla!”
5FM’s Business Manager, Masi Mdingane, summed it up beautifully: “This is what 5FM is about – moving the youth of SA, celebrating their courage, and amplifying the voices and stories that inspire the nation. Thank you to Tyla, her family and her team for making this happen… and to Mo and Saints for starting a fire that’ll burn in many hearts for a long time to come.”
The story doesn’t end there. Inspired by the magic of Mo’s promposal, 5FM has officially launched #5FMPROMPOSAL, a brand-new initiative inviting matriculants across South Africa to shoot their shot and make their own unforgettable dance moments. Whether it’s a flash mob, a full-on musical, or a heartfelt Insta reel, 5FM wants to help make it iconic.
What a feel good, lekker story.
When one bold ask turns into a once-in-a-lifetime yes, it reminds us all of something pretty powerful: sometimes, the world does say yes. Sometimes, the stars align. And sometimes, a kid with a dream gets to dance with Tyla.
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