Makhadzi backtracks after heated post about Venda speakers causes debate online

Makhadzi is walking back on recent controversial statements that ignited a fierce debate across social media platforms. The Limpopo-born hitmaker took to X to release a detailed statement, explaining her original intentions after facing significant public backlash.

The singer admitted that her previous post may have been misunderstood due to language barriers. She noted that she occasionally struggles to express complex thoughts clearly in English, which led to the confusion.

Concerns over national identity

The heart of the issue stems from Makhadzi's frustration over viral videos showing Venda speakers being questioned about their nationality. She expressed concern that some South Africans treat Tshivenda or Xitsonga speakers as foreigners simply because they are unfamiliar with the languages.

A specific video of a Venda man being asked to produce identification particularly troubled her. This prompted her to speak out about the profiling she believes some members of her community face when traveling to provinces like Gauteng.

A formal apology to fans

"My lovely South African, I would like to clarify that I am not a politician and I might not have stated my mind in a good manner because English is sometimes a problem to me. But I am really sorry for those who were affected by my previous post," she wrote.

Makhadzi insisted that her goal was never to cause division among South Africans. Instead, she wanted to highlight the linguistic misunderstandings that lead to people being doubted in their own country based on how they look or speak.

Mixed reactions follow the U-turn

The singer concluded by promising to be more careful with her public platform in the future, stating that she will "keep quiet" until she finds better ways to approach sensitive topics. She emphasized that she is still learning how to navigate these public conversations.

Public response remains split. While many of her followers have accepted the apology and praised her for defending her heritage, others continue to debate the broader issues of identity and belonging she initially raised.