Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment
WILL South African artist Naledi Aphiwe get a warm welcome, usually reserved for stars, or will she face a hostile backlash when she performs in Harare in April?
It’s hard to tell but there is no question that emotions are running high.
Even for a country known around the world for its amazing hospitality like Zimbabwe, there are some negative comments that cross the line.
And, social media never forgets.
Last year, Naledi clashed with Zimbabwean music fans who felt that she had disrespected their country with a comment on TikTok which they believed crossed the line.
Now, she has been booked as the headline act for the Ama2kFest which is set for Harare on April 4.
When a Zimbabwean Tiklok user, Constance Muzenda, commented on one of her posts, asking her to come and play in this country, the artist’s response triggered widespread controversy.
Naledi replied:
“Hambani hiyongilinda khona,” which loosely translates to “Go wait for me there.”
Some interpreted the comment as a casual remark but others felt it carried an offensive tone.
Social media users in Zimbabwe accused Naledi of mocking their country.
Social media hawks have been turning the heat on her as she prepares to perform in a country which they claim she mocked.
Naledi has apologised, saying her words were never meant to disrespect Zimbabweans and expressing regret for any offence caused.
“Social media never forgets and I’ve been reminded of a comment I made a few months ago.
“I want to address it properly instead of ignoring it. “First, I want to make it clear that my words were never meant to disrespect Zimbabweans or come from a place of hate.
“I understand that intentions don’t always translate well online, and I can see how what I said may have hurt or offended people.
“For that, I sincerely apologise. I am still young and I’m constantly growing, learning, and understanding the weight that words can carry especially on social media.
“I don’t claim to be perfect, and when I make mistakes, I believe in owning them and learning from them. “This has definitely been a moment of reflection for me,” she wrote on social media.
However, this has not been accepted by some Zimbabweans.
“My two cents on the Naledi story: I feel her management didn’t do their job. When your artist makes viral comments about a country she’s booked in, it’s no small thing,” said Magic Wacho, a local content creator.
“I remember a fan asking when she’d come to Zimbabwe, and her response wasn’t right.
“The thing is, bookings happen months ahead so they had time, maybe a month or two, to apologise and reshape the narrative.
“The fact they didn’t. It seems they didn’t take it seriously or misread public memory.
“It’s not about apology but just respecting the audience.
“They could’ve said, “Hey, I messed up. I’d love to come to Zim and make it right. If any promoter is willing, can we worktogether, we are one people.’
“That would’ve made Ama2k fest’s booking look like reconciliation, not damage control. Even now, Zimbabweans will welcome her with two arms but a little foresight would’ve made that embrace even warmer.”
Mathew Masinge