Media personality and philanthropist, Nomzamo Mbatha, has seemingly stepped on the toes of netizens after she referred to Durban as a “small town” in a video on X.

The video posted by controversial YouTuber Musa Khawula, Mbatha is seen wining and dining with some of her American friends in New York City.

In the video, the renowned actress is heard saying: “I am Nomzamo Mbatha, all the way from South Africa in a small town called Durban. You won’t go into the other intricacies of who we are, but I think a dish that best describes me is a bowl of soup.”

Despite being celebrated for her international achievements in Hollywood, Mbatha’s statement rubbed off netizens the wrong way, immediately gaining traction as people expressed their distaste.

“Nomzamo Mbatha referred to Durban as a ‘small town’ despite the place being ranked as the 87th best city in the world out of over 10 000 cities. This is what happens when actors and actresses are neutered. She is talking down on South Africa to keep her contract,” said @Universal Music.

https://x.com/uuniversalmusic/status/1838616880430395526?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“Nomzamo failed us with that description of Durban. She should have used that platform to educate them (Americans). Now, they will hold on to Durban being a small town,” said @IghoostNaledi.

https://x.com/IghostNaledi/status/1838667026857935017?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“I said and will say it, she’s k*k and not patriotic at all. Only looking out for her best interest,” said @EmpireTDlu

https://x.com/EmpireTDlu/status/1838534391728906400?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“At this point I don’t blame Americans for thinking the way they do about Africa. We have had many exports who go to the world’s stages. Instead of educating, they further spread nonsense,” said @Mam_Bhele.

https://x.com/Mam_Bhele/status/1838482064246468898?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“Durban is bigger than New York, lol. It has the second biggest harbour in Africa. Durban has the longest beach promenade in Africa, it also has the biggest mall in Africa. Durban has an international airport and has the second biggest township in South Africa,” said @Siya_ShabalaIa.

https://x.com/Siya_ShabalaIa/status/1838502909924790686?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“South Africans and over humbling themselves. A Nigerian will never say he is from a small city called Lagos, a black American will never say he is from a small town called Atlanta. They are very confident. We need to be like that too, maybe it is our upbringing,” said @BongzzTheGreat.

https://x.com/BongzzTheGreat/status/1838495710511083678?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

Furthermore, netizens hailed “Water” hitmaker Tyla for remaining patriotic while striding Hollywood. They applauded her for staying true to her South African heritage and coloured accent.

The award winning artist recently called out Americans for boxing Amapiano and Afrobeats music into one category after she won the MTV Video Music Awards for the Best Afrobeats.

“You will never find Tyla undermining Johannesburg - even on a bad day. She does not undersell her background, and will never reduce herself to an inferior position just to assimilate and be ‘humble’,” said @PalesaMogorosi_

https://x.com/PalesaMogorosi_/status/1838536418626351209?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

“Nomzamo has been in the States for over ten years, but she still speaks like an impoverished sorry scene African orphan. Tyla has been in the States for just over two years, and her confidence is epic- no sorry impoverished looks. Tyla is right, she is coloured, not black,” said @Cand_Ziziba.

https://x.com/Cand_Ziziba/status/1838481605733576869?t=9X2enYF5eDtcIuRbhyYyqg&s=19

The Star

hope.mafu@inl.co.za