South African singer Simphiwe Dana has come under fire on social media after accusing actress Nomzamo Mbatha and the Shaka iLembe production team of copying her signature Afrocentric hairstyle without acknowledgment. The award-winning jazz artist voiced her frustration in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), calling out Mbatha and the team behind the hit historical drama series for what she sees as style appropriation.
In her post, Dana lamented that brands and public figures continue to draw inspiration from her distinctive aesthetic without giving her due credit. She specifically named Shaka iLembe and Mbatha, saying they had failed to appreciate or recognize her influence. Dana’s rant comes just weeks after she spoke out about feeling overlooked in the industry, despite celebrating 20 years in music.
“I’m now fed up with brands appropriating my style. The least you can do is acknowledge where you got the ideas from. I’m talking to you, Shaka iLembe and Nomzamo Mbatha. The other sister I won’t mention. It started here. Appreciate, don’t appropriate,” read the now-deleted post.
Dana’s remarks caused an uproar online, with many social media users criticizing her for claiming ownership of traditional African hairstyles that predate modern pop culture. Critics argued that her statement ignored the deep cultural and historical roots of the styles, which have existed for centuries among African communities.
One user, @KeaKhutsoane, wrote:
“It would serve you well to invest some time in researching precolonial African hairstyles and their cultural significance. What you’re presenting as ‘your style’ is deeply rooted in African history.”
Others were more blunt, dismissing Dana’s comments as self-important and divisive. @kuanele_ posted:
“Please don’t irritate us. No one has seen this hairstyle and thought of you.”
Another user, @azithesoulster, added:
“There’s no way she thinks this idea came from her mind. She probably studied precolonial hairstyles and then claimed them as her own.”
Despite the backlash, some fans tried to defend Dana, suggesting that her message may have been poorly delivered but came from a place of genuine frustration about being constantly overlooked as a trendsetter in the entertainment and fashion world.
https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/1949726722879885684?t=TZy8bwTBeXO4vHRPMd6UOA&s=19
This isn’t the first time Simphiwe Dana has made headlines for controversial statements. In 2024, she accused then-Minister Gayton McKenzie of falsely listing her as a beneficiary of a relief fund. She later clarified that an application had been submitted on her behalf by her music director without her knowledge. The incident also sparked debate about transparency and accountability within the government and among artists.
While Shaka iLembe and Nomzamo Mbatha have not publicly responded to Dana’s accusations, the controversy has ignited fresh discussions about originality, cultural heritage, and recognition within South Africa’s creative industries. Whether Dana’s words will prompt reflection or further alienate her from her peers remains to be seen.
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