Simphiwe Dana posts and deletes claims of appropriation against Nomzamo Mbatha
Image: Instagram/simphiwedana
Multi-award winning musician Simphiwe Dana recently posted on Instagram and X about her disappointment over not being acknowledged as inspiration behind the hairstyles on actress Nomzamo Mbatha and "Shaka iLembe".
While Dana deleted the posts, screenshots of her posts are making rounds online. One thing about internet users is that they have very quick fingertips and just because you delete something doesn't guarantee it will be erased from the internet.
'Honey, there's a difference between appreciation and appropriation. You're not the only one. I'm fed up. It's deeply disconcerting and cringe,' Dana wrote, with a picture of Mbatha from her Creme of Nature, ambassador reveal.
The "Ndiredi" hitmaker is well-known for embracing Afrocentric hairstyles, having rocked them for most of her public career.
Simphiwe Dana may have deleted her post but internet users have screenshots.
Image: Instagram
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Mbatha is also known to embrace her natural hair and often does Afrocentric hairstyles. For "Shaka iLembe", the female characters have Afrocentric hairstyles in line with the timeline of the show.
Dana's claims have opened up a conversation online, with some claiming that the hairstyle is historic and the musician has no grounds.
@MaBlackFreedomIstyle said: "saseMandulo esakho. This is ancient, before you were even born.🙏🏽are you sure @simphiwedana it's not you who copied the 1st ShakaZulu? Appreciate don't gatekeep historical hairstyles.❤️😅"
@TsikaTinadzo·5hQueen, this is petty and beneath you. Your hairstyles aren't unique. You could also be accused of being a "copy cat", "appropriating" ancient West African hair art.
Neither Mbatha or the representives of "Shaka iLembe" have responded to the musician's claims but with her having deleted her post, it will be hard for them to do so.
Dana earlier this month, expressed how her trust had been taken advantage of. According to the artist, the exploitation began five years ago, and she feels betrayed.
'I'm actually getting madder by the moment. I know I bring genius things. For the past five years, I've been stolen from. And my people have been a part of it. I'm tired. The betrayal is painful,' said Dana.
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