South African media personality, Denise Zimba with her ex-husband, Jakob Schlichtig. Picture: Instagram.
South African actress and media personality Denise Zimba recently took to social media to share a deeply personal and painful experience with her followers.
On Saturday, January 10, Zimba revealed on X, the heart-wrenching betrayal she faced when she discovered that her German ex-husband, Jakob Schlichtig, was allegedly having an affair with her childhood friend, Mpumi Mdluli.
Zimba married Schlichtig in April 2022.
The former “Generations: The Legacy” actress and Mdluli had been friends since they were 14 years old.
On the X post, Zimba wrote: “Nothing worse than finding out your best friend since you were 14 years old has been having an affair with your husband, and that’s why she always ghosted you when you were pregnant and never celebrated you – birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers.”
Nothing worse than finding out your best friend since you were 14 years old, has been having an affair with your husband, and that’s why she always ghosted you when you were pregnant and never celebrated you - birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers …
— Denise Zimba (@MissDeniseZimba) January 10, 2025
In a follow-up post, Zimba posted pictures of herself, her ex-husband and best friend with the caption: “These pictures land really different now … The day of my wedding, your speech, just two years ago … Little did I know.”
These pictures land really different now …
— Denise Zimba (@MissDeniseZimba) January 10, 2025
The day of my wedding, your speech, just two years ago …
Little did I know. pic.twitter.com/CinNkJ2dZ7
Online reports indicate that Zimba and her ex-husband, Schlichtig, have been separated since late 2023.
Since then, Zimba has set out to reclaim her narrative.
Last November, on her 36th birthday, Zimba took the opportunity to reflect on the challenging year prior.
She posted: “Close friends betrayed me at levels I cannot even comprehend. Those I loved the most and held close to my heart abandoned me and didn’t choose me.”
Zimba further talked about her journey toward healing. “I was lied about and stripped of everything I built for myself … And now I have to start over from the very beginning. Yet, I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR ALL OF IT!”.
Zimba added: “I feel free and liberated. Thirty-six years of GOD’s grace.”
Meanwhile, fans of The “How To Ruin Christmas” season three actress are empathising with her over the betrayal she has endured.
Controversial activist and poet Ntsiki Mazwai commented: “Sorry you went through this 😔sending you healing vibes ❤️🫶🏿❤️.”
Sorry you went through this 😔sending you healing vibes ❤️🫶🏿❤️
— NtsikiMazwaiMedia (@ntsikimazwai) January 11, 2025
@Mama_Bridgie wrote: “We stand with you during this gowishing (a Xhosa term used to tell someone that you are going through the most) times sis. God has his ways of revealing people's true characters in preparation for greater things. Wish you find genuine happiness, within or outside marriage ❤️.”
We stand with you during this gowishing times sis. God has his ways of revealing people's true characters in preparation for greater things.
— Black & Blessed ❤❤✌ (@Mama_Bridgie) January 10, 2025
Wish you find genuine happiness, within or outside marriage ❤️
@Kamonciaga said: “Realising is worse than finding out man ... now you have to go back down memory lane and play out events where you were actually being clowned. Strength to you sis❤.”
Realizing is worse than finding out man...now you have to go back down memory lane and play out events where you were actually being clowned. Strength to you sis❤
— Kamonciaga (@Kamonciaga) January 10, 2025
Since their divorce, Zimba has been living in Cape Town with their two daughters.
On the career front, Zimba will be co-hosting a new beauty, health and wellness show, “Mooi Praatjies” alongside former Miss South Africa, Cindy Nell-Roberts.
∎ “Mooi Praatjies” will air on Via (DStv channel147) from Wednesday, January 15, at 7.30pm.