Popular Sports personality Mpho Letsholonyane has come under a barrage of fire after she reposted a video that was created in 2012 by Mdu Comics, under Izizkhokho Show – Jesus is a Shangaan. Since its upload on YouTube, the video has been watched more than one million times.
And she got burnt up to a point she had to issue a formal public apology, as people were calling for her to be suspended and reported to the Human Rights Commission of South Africa.
“My intention was never to hurt anyone. It’s an old video. Didn’t put any thought into it because Mdu was on the TL and I came across the vid and reposted,” says Mpho Letsholonyane.
On Thursday she says it was an error in judgment on her part and it’s now-deleted off her timeline.
“Apologies for hurting/insulting you. It was not intentional,” she says.
MGOSI.co.za says next time, not Mpho alone when you repost something on social media you’re giving it a nod. Especially, if you don’t caption it whether you’re against or with whatever it expresses.
In the cartoon, the character of Jesu visits Doctor Mbuzi after he got his toe injured.
Then the Doctor tells him that he has checked his X-ray and he’s fine.
In a turn of things, the Doctor also tells Jesu he also saw his DNA and it does not match with God’s DNA.
Trying to find out what was the Doctor trying to tell him. The Doctor says there’s no easy way of saying the DNA results, but ends up telling him that he’s a Shangaan.
This got many Shangaan people fuming on Twitter claiming Mpho Letsholonyane was promoting tribalism.
A Twitter user told Mpho Letsholonyane that she was silly and pushing the narrative that Tsonga’s are less of humans than the rest.
“Sies man… you should be reported and suspended,” says the user citing the Human Rights Commission of South Africa.
Actress Thandi Matlaila came to Mpho Letsholonyane’s defending side asking those who were condemning her what is an apology.
“…What is an apology to you people? Now she must be crucified? Hai man guys, she was humble enough to apologize AND delete. That gets my support ANY DAY. Love you Mpho,” says Thandi Matlaila.
Another user by the name of Gift Afrika says, “Now I am Tsonga. That video made me laugh so hard. I am not going to dictate how other people should react. But South Africans are we now that sensitive? We usually laugh at ourselves and make fun of certain stereotypes it’s who we are. It’s a joke and should be treated like one.”
MGOSI.co.za