Social media has been abuzz lately as users on X have been tagging radio personality Solomzi “Sol” Phenduka in posts featuring people who bear a striking resemblance to him. What started as a few amusing tweets quickly escalated as multiple lookalikes of the “Diqabang” hitmaker popped up, with users humorously referring to these individuals as “variants” of Sol Phenduka. The trend took off when a video of a fitness instructor leading a step class surfaced, with many pointing out that the instructor looked just like the “Podcast and Chill” co-host.
The phenomenon snowballed as more and more people began sharing posts of their own Sol Phenduka doppelgängers. What made this even more amusing was that these lookalikes all seemed to have similar physical traits—matching body builds, haircuts, and even glasses, just like Phenduka himself. Some of the more amusing titles attached to these doppelgängers include “Sol Phenduka the samurai” and “Sol Phenduka the gym instructor,” and soon the internet was flooded with comparisons.
The 32-year-old radio personality didn’t take offense to the growing number of lookalikes. Instead, he joined in on the fun, posting videos of his encounters with his doppelgängers and sharing them on social media. His fans found the whole thing hilarious, with many calling out how impossible it was to believe that there could be so many people who look exactly like him. As one X user, @MKHBrian, put it: “I’m now convinced that Sol Phenduka is not a person, but a group. No one can tell me otherwise.”
The trend has not only brought laughs but also some admiration, as users pointed out that Phenduka’s “other selves” seemed to have a diverse range of professions and talents, from businesspeople to musicians to fitness instructors and even samurais. In fact, @Ninie_Sasa tweeted, “A podcaster, musician, businessman and now a samurai – Sol Phenduka is GOATED.”
Other users have also joined in on the joke, with some suggesting that scientists should look into why so many Sol Phenduka lookalikes exist, while others joked that you’re never more than 10 kilometers away from one in South Africa.
As for Phenduka, it seems he’s fully embraced the humor in the situation. His playful approach to the “Sol Phenduka lookalike craze” has only added to his charm, leaving fans wondering how many more “Sol versions” might be out there. What’s clear is that, with so many people sharing their own versions of the popular radio personality, Sol Phenduka’s influence continues to grow—one lookalike at a time.
