Esther Mahlangu and Somizi Mhlongo/ Picture: Instagram
Somizi Mhlongo’s name has become synonymous with controversy, as the media personality often trends and sometimes for the wrong reasons. He has been called out by the people of the Ndebele tribe after he donned their traditional attire incorrectly while meeting Dr Esther Mahlangu.
Despite maintaining a long and illustrious career as a jack of all trades in Mzansi’s entertainment industry, Somizi’s reputation and legacy has been tainted with some serious scandals including allegations of gender based violence against intimate partners. The industry mogul has once again been called out for wearing the incorrect Ndebele cultural attire, which according to netizens, is reserved for married women only.
It is no secret that it has been Somizi’s life long dream to meet Dr Esther Mahlangu, which comes as no surprise as she is a living South African and global legend. His long time supporters who know what this means to Somizi shared his excitement when he shared the long awaited meeting between himself and Dr Esther.
Although the excitement was shared by his supporters, some users condemned Somizi for wearing attire that is strictly reserved for married women. Several users who echo this sentiment highlighted how this is deemed disrespectful to their culture and is worsened by the fact that Somizi has the platform that he does, which unfortunately opens more room for more people to do the same.
Dear @somizi
In my culture you not allowed to wear this blanket if you haven’t went for initiation. But that is not really important.
They allowed you to compromise the attire you wearing. You were supposed to dress like a man not as a married woman because that’s the attire… pic.twitter.com/xhEK9rzAph
— GOD GULUVA (@Zweli_Thixo) October 28, 2024
This Is Utter Nonsense!! This Specific Design Of The Ndebele Blanket And Idzila Is Specially Made For Married Woman Only!!
Manikelela La!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZUYG9G88S4
— Kgotso Mahlangu (@KgotsoMahlangu_) October 28, 2024
Some users came to Somizi’s defense, citing the fact that Dr Esther, a custodian of her culture was present and had no problem with Somizi wearing the attire that he did. Furthermore, others highlighted the ever-changing nature of culture, and how we as people need to adapt to that.
Esther has lived long enough to know of the fact that Ndebele culture gives exceptions to queer men because she knows them and has lived amongst them. But y’all want to silence those queer men and act like they don’t exist. She would have informed Somizi but she knows … https://t.co/8dR5kSZU3o
— I’m that Girl (@BathandwaSame) October 28, 2024
This situation has highlighted the broader conversation that many South Africans have brought up, posing the question of when the line is drawn between the evolution of culture and a total disregard for it. We have seen a surge of people from certain cultures wearing a different culture’s attire, and often it is not in the correct context, which then causes conflict among the tribes.
Also see: Esther Mahlangu set to release new book titled ‘To Paint is in my Heart’
