In a passionate response to the misuse of her music, South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai has condemned the use of her hit song “Nizalwa Ngobani?” to spread hate. According to TshisaLIVE, the controversy arose after gender justice and social activist Anele Mda used the song in a post calling for the Miss South Africa beauty pageant to be a space exclusively for South African women.
Mazwai, known for her powerful lyrics and advocacy for social justice, took to social media to voice her disapproval. “I do not write songs that must be used for hate,” she wrote. “My songs are to foster change and encourage more love and justice in the world. The song used calls out the names of Nkrumah for a reason. African unity.”
Mazwai further addressed the complex issues surrounding undocumented individuals and criminal syndicates, emphasizing the role of the government in resolving these problems. She warned against mob justice, calling it precarious, and highlighted the importance of understanding the difference between xenophobia and Afrophobia.
Her message was clear: “Please unfollow me if you think Pan-Africanism is the same as allowing criminals to run amok in this place. Unfollow me if you think foreigner only means black people from other parts of the mama land. Unfollow if you think black nationality makes someone intrinsically criminal.”
Mazwai’s stance reflects her commitment to promoting African unity and justice through her music, urging her followers to embrace these values and reject the misuse of her art to foster division and hate.
