Controversial YFM DJ and businessman Sbu has been dumped by his girlfriend of three months – L’Oréal’s brand ambassador Terry Pheto.
This is after she was reportedly put under pressure by L’Oréal, who are worried about the bad publicity associated with the Tsotsi star.
Earlier this year L’Oréal signed what is rumoured to be a six-figure deal with Pheto.
The star was criticised for going out with Mpho Molepo, who was embroiled in a bitter divorce with Nomvula Molope, a top lighting designer at the Market Theatre.
“Terry is still in love with Sbu but the bad…”
A source close to Pheto told Sowetan the actress took the decision to end things last week when she felt pressure from the media.
“Terry is still in love with Sbu but the bad publicity is really messing up her L’Oréal deal,” the source said.
“There has been a bit of tension for some time and she had to make this hard decision for the sake of her career.”
The source said Sbu and Pheto have spoken on the phone since the split and are trying to remain on good terms.
The source said she was also unhappy about Sbu’s history of love affairs.
Sbu, who was voted the Most Stylish Man of the Year by the men’s GQ magazine this month, has consistently denied the love relationship with Pheto.
He maintained that they were just friends.
Sbu was also accused of liking to “be seen with movers and shakers”.
Since the death of his fiancee, Lehlohonolo Damoyi, who committed suicide, Sbu has been linked to Dineo Sobantu, head of public relations and communication at Edcon, and Thami Ngubeni, former O magazine editor.
He had apparently also tried his luck with MTV’s Nonhle Thema – without success.
His business partner Thembinkosi Nciza, who spoke on his behalf, said S’bu was a bachelor who was free to date or break up with whoever he wanted to.
“The Terry issue is a non-issue,” Nciza said. “S’bu is a very talented young man.
“Let him do what he does best – making music and helping people.” said.
L’Oréal spokesman Celeste Thema denied that Pheto had been put under pressure.
“We are proud to have Terry as our brand ambassador. Her personal life is just that, her personal life.”
Efforts to speak to Pheto drew a blank.
This article was originally published in the Sowetan
