Lasizwe Dambuza says his popular YouTube series Awkward Dates should achieve more than generating laughs and viral moments: he wants it to make it normal for straight and gay men to feel at ease around one another.
This week, the comedian and content creator used X, previously called Twitter, to applaud heterosexual men who are secure in their sexuality. He argued that many straight men still act as though being close to gay men somehow makes their own identity questionable.
His comments arrived shortly after an Awkward Dates instalment featuring actor Vuyo Biyela, who is recognised for appearing in The Polygamist and Kwa Baba, became a social media sensation. The episode debuted on 5 August 2026, with clips showing Biyela moving close to Lasizwe and speaking to him in a gentle tone. The interaction led viewers to speculate about a possible spark between them.
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Lasizwe dismissed the idea that he and Biyela were anything more than colleagues in the entertainment industry. He also used the discussion to explain one of the wider goals behind the much-loved online programme.
In an extended post, Lasizwe praised men who can spend time with gay men without behaving as if homosexuality is infectious or worrying that being seen alongside them could cause people to question their own sexuality.
He said that creating this kind of comfort is precisely what he hopes Awkward Dates will help normalise: straight and gay men sharing the same environment without either person feeling pressured to play a particular part.
In his view, healthier friendships require both sides to avoid falling into familiar stereotypes.
Lasizwe said gay men should not be treated merely as the “gay bestie” or as a source of amusement. At the same time, straight men should not feel compelled to act “defensive” or “hypermasculine”, nor should ordinary kindness automatically be interpreted as romantic attraction.
He finished his message with a joke, reminding followers that gay men have individual tastes and are not automatically interested in “every straight man” they encounter.
Watch the viral Awkward Dates instalment below:
Made by TD Media, Awkward Dates draws inspiration from formats such as Chicken Shop Date. The series follows Lasizwe as he takes South African celebrities and prominent public figures on intentionally uncomfortable dates filled with candid conversation.
The programme’s previous guests include Julius Malema, Khanyi Mbau, Kamo Mphela, Nandi Madida and Minnie Dlamini. It has also received a SAFTA nomination in the past.
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