THE FUSE

South African singer Naledi Aphiwe has publicly apologised for a comment she made months ago that upset many Zimbabweans online. The apology comes just weeks before her scheduled performance in Harare this April.

Naledi is expected to perform in Zimbabwe as one of the headline acts at Ama2k Fest. However, social media users have made it clear that they have not forgotten a comment she made last year during a TikTok exchange.

According to The South African, the issue began in May when a Zimbabwean fan, Constance Muzenda, commented under one of Naledi’s posts, asking her to visit Zimbabwe. The fan wrote: “Naledi, please come to Zimbabwe.” It was a simple and polite request from someone hoping to see her favourite artist perform live.

Naledi responded: “Hambani niyongilinda khona,” which loosely translates to, “Go and wait for me there.” While she may have meant it as a playful response, many Zimbabweans felt the comment had an undertone that came across as dismissive or disrespectful.

As her Zimbabwe performance approaches, social media users resurfaced the comment, calling for accountability. In response, Naledi shared a statement on her Facebook page addressing the situation.

She wrote: “Social media never forgets, and l’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, ! 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.Please don’t misunderstand my heart or define me by one comment. It truly wasn’t that deep or rooted in negativity. I respect people from all backgrounds, and I would never intentionally spread hate. I hope we can move forward with understanding and give each other grace. I genuinely wish peace for everyone involved. one love. “

She added: “If the invite is genuine and it’s about unity, I’m there. I’m learning that just because something makes sense to me or feels right to me doesn’t mean everyone will receive it the same way. I’m starting to understand that my words can affect people differently, and that’s something I take seriously. Growth for me means listening, reflecting, and accepting that I won’t always be right. I’m still learning, and I’m committed to doing better.”