Cape Town – South African singer Naledi Aphiwe has issued a public apology after comments she made last year towards a Zimbabwean fan resurfaced online, leading to criticism ahead of her scheduled performance in Zimbabwe.
Aphiwe was announced as one of the headliners for the Ama2k Fest concert in Harare, Zimbabwe, set for April. After the announcement, a clip of her replying to a fan’s request to perform in Zimbabwe started circulating again.
In the video, she replied in isiZulu,“Hambani niyongilinda khona,” loosely meaning “go and wait for me there.” Some social media users interpreted the response as dismissive and potentially disrespectful to Zimbabweans.
In a Facebook post addressing the criticism, Aphiwe acknowledged the pain the clip caused and offered a direct apology. “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,” she wrote.
She went on to recognise that her intentions may not have come across as she meant them to. “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,” Aphiwe said.
The singer also spoke about being on a personal journey of learning and growth. “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,” she wrote.
Aphiwe asked people not to judge her solely on one comment and expressed respect for all communities. “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,” she said, adding: “I hope we can move forward with understanding and give each other grace. I genuinely wish peace for everyone involved.”
Her apology comes as she prepares to perform alongside other artists at the Ama2k Fest in Harare.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
