Popular South African content creators Lasizwe and Ghost Hlubi are the talk of Mzansi as a heated — yet playful — debate rages online over who is the biggest YouTuber in the country. Both stars have carved their own paths to success and built massive audiences, but with each sitting at exactly 1.12 million subscribers, fans can’t help but compare the two.
Lasizwe is well-known for breaking barriers with his hit YouTube series Awkward Dates and other productions under his African Network Channel, including Drink or Tell the Truth. Ghost Hlubi, on the other hand, has gained a huge following through his prank videos and lifestyle content, living large thanks to his YouTube earnings.
The friendly rivalry gained steam on Friday, 8 August 2025, when entertainment blogger Kreative Kornerr posted a video on Instagram showing the two taking subtle jabs at each other. The post was captioned: “With both @lasizwe and @ghost.hlubi sitting at 1.12M subscribers, who do you think is the king of YouTube in South Africa? ”
In the clip, former Piano Pulse co-host Munaka asked Lasizwe who he thought was the biggest YouTuber between him and Ghost Hlubi. Without hesitation, Lasizwe threw some shade, saying: “Oh gosh. We’re not shooting on cell phones here.”
This was a direct reference to Ghost Hlubi’s filming style. Ghost didn’t let the comment slide. He took screenshots of their identical subscriber counts and proudly clapped back: “Did it off a self phone goofy (sic).”
Lasizwe then fired back on his Instagram story, warning Ghost Hlubi not to confuse “being viral” with “legacy.” He didn’t stop there. Soon after, he posted a cheeky chess photo with one of the chess pieces edited to show Ghost Hlubi’s face. The caption read: “This game is not for Lil Ghosts…”
While the back-and-forth has fans laughing, it has also sparked real debates in the comment sections. Some say Ghost Hlubi is the king because of his viral reach and relatability, while others believe Lasizwe’s creative productions and long-term impact put him ahead.
One thing is certain — both creators are powerhouses in the South African YouTube space, and whether it’s through pranks or polished interviews, they’ve both proven they can entertain millions.
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