At just 23, Chatsworth content creator Masigan Pillay, better known as Devanshii on TikTok and Devanshii Dee on Facebook, has turned a relatively new venture into a rapidly growing online career.
Pillay only began creating content in May, after friends repeatedly encouraged him to give social media a try. Four months later, he had already attracted more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, with audiences responding strongly to his blend of South African humour, isiZulu language and Indian culture.
Much of his content is created alongside his close friend, Nqubeko Chonco, and the pair have become known for their natural chemistry on screen. Their videos often draw on everyday situations, language, music and cultural references, allowing viewers from different backgrounds to recognise parts of themselves in the content.
For Pillay, that connection has become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. He believes South Africans have responded positively to seeing different cultures represented together in a way that feels natural rather than forced. His ability to speak isiZulu fluently has also played an important role in helping him connect with audiences beyond his own community.
Pillay said his fluency in the language has opened unexpected doors in the entertainment industry and helped him create content that celebrates diversity and cultural integration. “Looking at it now, many South Africans love the bond of both races displayed on their screens, and it creates diversity and cultural integration. My content is mainly South African isiZulu content, with a bit of Indian content included. Being fluent in isiZulu has opened so many doors of opportunities for me to thrive in the entertainment industry,” he said.
While many of his videos are light-hearted, his platform has also allowed him to address more serious topics. One of his most widely noticed videos addressed tensions surrounding calls on 30 June for foreigners to leave South Africa. Pillay said the reaction to the video showed him that social media could be used for more than entertainment, but also to encourage empathy, understanding and social cohesion.
At the heart of his content is a message he describes simply as “love, peace and harmony”. Pillay said he has been fortunate to receive overwhelming positivity from viewers since beginning his content journey. Rather than facing major criticism or negativity, he said he has largely experienced encouragement and support, both online and from those closest to him.
His family and friends continue to back his ambitions, while behind the camera, Asanda Manqele plays an important role in filming many of the videos featuring Pillay and Chonco. Pillay credits both friendships as an important part of the content people have come to know him for.
Away from social media, he holds a Diploma in Packaging Technology through the Institute of Packaging South Africa and is studying towards a degree in Environmental Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Despite his rapid online growth, Pillay is already thinking about how he can take his career further.
He hopes to pursue content creation full-time, collaborate with both South African and international brands and expand into the entertainment industry. Among his biggest ambitions is auditioning for Big Brother Mzansi 2027.
He also hopes his platform can continue giving people something positive to turn to. “If I can make people laugh and help them forget their problems for a while, then I have achieved something,” he said.
For those considering starting their own content journey, Pillay’s advice is: “If it makes you happy, do it.”
