Phillip Whitehead, from a troubled upbringing in Johannesburg’s toughest neighbourhoods to viral fame as ‘Mr. Mageu’ inspires with his journey of resilience and triumph.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 September 2023) – In the vast sea of viral videos that grace our screens, few have captured the hearts of South Africans quite like the yearly sensation of a Parktown Boys’ High schoolboy bursting into isiZulu phrases after taking a sip of the age-old traditional beverage, Mageu.
But behind this viral sensation is a heartwarming tale of resilience, determination, and triumph over adversity.
Phillip Whitehead, the man behind the viral’ Mr. Mageu’ video, never imagined that his playful video would garner such attention. It all began during the craze of the “Woolworth’s Water Challenge.” Phillip and his friends wanted to put their own twist on the trend.
“I saw the ‘Woolworth’s challenge’ with the water,” recalls Phillip, “and one of my friends had brought Mageu to school. I turned around, and it clicked: let me make the opposite of the Woolworth’s challenge.”
With the support of his friends, they created the video and sent it to various meme accounts on Instagram. To their surprise, it gained traction and even caught the attention of DJ Fresh, leading to its viral success. But what many people don’t know is the remarkable journey that led Phillip to this moment of viral fame.
@uncle.filly (Uncle.filly) big game this weekend, let’s go Bokkie 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 Power to the mageu, power to the Spingboks 🙌🏽😌 #bokkie #RSAvIRE #sarugby🇿🇦 #spingboks ♬ original sound – Filly🦋
Phillip’s life began in some of Johannesburg’s toughest neighbourhoods. Raised in Hillbrow, he grew up in an abusive home, with his father incarcerated at the time of his birth. Tragedy struck early as he lost his older brother at the tender age of 10. His only remaining sibling was raised in foster care, separating the brothers at a young age.
“I was born in Hillbrow, and my father was in prison at the time I was born. I lived with my mom and her boyfriend in my early years,” Phillip recounts.
His stepfather, though aggressive, taught him life lessons that no child should ever have to learn, including how to use weapons.
“I stayed in one of those big, tall apartment buildings. My stepdad was pretty aggressive and taught me a lot of things when I was younger – things that you should never teach a child.”
His childhood was marred by the toxic environment at home, marked by constant parties and disturbing incidents. Phillip vividly recalls the harrowing sights he encountered on his daily walk to school in Hillbrow, a neighbourhood filled with danger and despair.
“I used to walk myself to primary school and back. Back then, Hillbrow was a no-go zone and I saw things on my way to school that no one should see. It’s something that you can’t even explain. You’d walk in those alleyways between buildings and see people sleeping and not know if they’re dead or alive.”
“I’d see accidents almost every morning. Hectic things. But it was second nature to some people. An accident, a dead body on the road, people would go about their lives. I’ve seen people jump from buildings.”
Yet, amidst this darkness, Phillip found solace and companionship with friends who spoke isiZulu. It became the language of camaraderie for him, surpassing his English proficiency.
“That’s when I started to speak vernac (isiZulu). It was the only language I’d speak among my friends when I was young. It was so natural to learn it. My English was not as good as my Zulu at the time,” he says.
Phillip’s father later died when he was 12 but he managed to connect with his paternal cousins, who, for a while, tried to help him navigate life and to bring stability to what was a turbulent upbringing.
Phillip’s life took a positive turn when he earned a scholarship to attend Parktown Boys’ High School due to his rugby skills. Rugby, which initially opened doors for him, also brought challenges when a severe knee injury threatened his mobility. But off the field, a close friendship with Myles and his family changed everything. Myles’ mother became a foster parent to Phillip, providing the stability and support he desperately needed.
Despite academic struggles, Phillip persevered and became the first in his family to pass grade 12.
“One of my teachers phoned me while I was at work and he was like, ‘Phil, I just wanna let you know, my boy, you passed matric.’ I walked out the barbershop where I was working and just cried. I couldn’t believe it.”
Phillip Whitehead’s journey, from a turbulent childhood to viral sensation, is a testament to the power of resilience and the potential for greatness within us all. His heartwarming story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, one can rise above and inspire others along the way. ‘Mr. Mageu’ may bring us laughter annually, but Phillip Whitehead’s indomitable spirit brings us hope every day.
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