Thando Dlomo’s reaction to Oprah Winfrey’s roller set divides South Africans

Oprah Winfrey revealed that her South African mentee, Thando Dlomo, had no idea what a roller set was
TikToker @morfboss sparked a heated debate about whether roller sets are a Black American hair tradition or a universal practice
South Africans flooded the comments to share their own experiences with rollers, dividing along generational and cultural lines

A moment between Oprah Winfrey and her beloved friend Thando Dlomo went viral. The South African set off a lively debate online about hair culture, generational gaps, and who can truly claim the roller set.

Oprah Winfrey was amazed that Thando Dlomo had never seen roller sets in real life. Image: @thando_d / Instagram / Paul Morigi / Getty Images
Source: TikTok

TikToker @morfboss posted a reaction video on 16 October 2026, responding to a clip of Oprah with Thando, who appeared genuinely baffled by Oprah's roller-set hair. According to @morfboss, Thando said she had "only seen them in the movies," a reaction that left the creator both amused and curious.

Rather than dismissing it as a simple misunderstanding, @morfboss turned the moment into a question worth asking: is the roller set a distinctly Black American hair tradition, or has it simply faded from memory among younger South Africans?

The creator @morfboss leaned toward a cultural explanation, arguing that styles like the roller set and hair relaxers have roots in Black American hair history. He referenced two previous videos with what he described as primary sources and data to support the claim, and invited viewers to weigh in. Watch the video that sparked the debate:

Roller sets debate ensues in SA

South Africans were quick to push back, with many pointing out that rollers were common in their communities, particularly in older generations:

@Life Reset With Boni said:

"Coloureds in SA normally use rollers till this day."

@GG wrote:

"It's not a Black American thing. It's done in South Africa too by older women. The Gen Z kids are more into braids and wigs now."

@Quintoncpt👑 added:

"USA think they are the world."

@Taalvonk noted:

"Coloured aunties have been rocking rollers in South Africa since forever."

@Sandile snr shared:

"Rollers were popular in the 80s and 90s for black South Africans. Women don't use them anymore."

@dkdhrvsisys observed:

"The use of rollers has died down in South Africa. It used to be a thing in the past, so a lot of young South Africans probably have never seen them in person."

@Magdeline Mojela wrote:

"Americans really think Africa is a jungle."

@Sophia Blacker🇧🇧 offered a Caribbean perspective:

"Ummm brother, women all over the Caribbean wore rollers. I think it's her age."

Thando Dlomo’s reaction to Oprah Winfrey’s roller set divides South Africans

Roller sets debate ensues in SA

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