Makhadzi Faces Backlash from Deaf Community Over Sign Language Mockery: “She Must Be Sued”
- Makhadzi has been accused by the South African deaf community of mocking sign language in a recent video, sparking controversy
- In a statement to Briefly News, critics said her actions perpetuate harmful stereotypes about deaf culture
- Social media reactions were mixed, with some defending her playful intent while others called for formal complaints to be filed
- Briefly News spoke to a member of the Deaf Community about how celebs can contribute positively to raising awareness and respect for the Deaf community and sign language in South Africa
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The SA deaf community has called out award-winning South African musician and dancer Makhadzi over her recent video. The singer is being accused of mocking sign language in the video.
Source: Instagram
Makhadzi accused of mocking sign language
Mjolo hitmaker Makhadzi rubbed up the deaf community the wrong way when she used hand gestures in a video making the rounds on social media.
A statement shared with Briefly News noted that the Limpopo star's behaviour in the video was unacceptable and harmful. Part of the message read:
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"Makhadzi's actions perpetuate negative stereotypes and ridicule the Deaf community, undermining efforts to bridge the gap between hearing and deaf individuals. Sign language is a vital part of deaf culture and identity, not a subject for mockery."
Deaf Community speaks out after Makhadzi's video
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, a member of the Deaf Community urged Makhadzi to use her platform to raise awareness about sign language instead of mocking it.
"All languages, nationally and internationally are a development of years of culture and history being expressed. South African Sign Language, and sign languages in general are the means of communication for Deaf people worldwide. Making a mock of a language so rich in history and culture is making a mock of its people and the struggles that they have endured. South African Sign Language has just (2023) been recognised as an official language. This not only means that Deaf people are finally being recognised as active members of society, but that the oppression we have experienced is finally being addressed.
"Makhadzi can use her platform to raise awareness of the struggles of Deaf people and encourage hearing individuals to participate positively in the culture and not be part of the oppressors. We can raise awareness of the disrespect that comes from mocking a language and the fact that it restricts Deaf people's access to accurate and fair information."
They also urged people to use accredited sign language interpreters when dealing with the language.
"When doing any work related to Deaf people or sign languages, it would be advisable to have a Deaf person or an accredited hearing interpreter present to educate individuals about the Deaf community, sign language and Deaf culture as a whole. There are many organisations available that offer Deaf knowledge, for instance, schools for the Deaf, Universities like Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, and UFS that have courses available about Deaf studies and Deaf culture, Deaf organisations like EDeaf and DEAFSA that can assist, as well as countless interpreters that are readily available."
SA shares mixed reactions to Makhadzi's video
The controversial video was also posted on the @sign_language_official_za Instagram page and fans got to dish their thoughts. Some defended the singer saying she was just goofing around, while others called her out.
@mlu2604 said:
"A great majority of South Africans can't speak sign language and that's not because of ignorance but because of lack of exposure, this video is playful and should be taken as such, like all of us @makhadzisa would love to learn proper sign if given a chance, we need to stop taking everything so seriously 🤔"
@silentcoderissa commented:
"I have already reported it. I am shocked that one of the most famous musicians is mocking our language like this🤦"
@ondegabeats added:
"But she's just playing?? So if she was speaking broken English would she need to be sued also?? People can't be silly anymore?"
@margin_guru commented:
"Yeah @makhadzisa must be sued. Please report to the PanSALB and send form complaint olga@pansalb.org an email."
What you need to know about Makhadzi
Makhadzi, born Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, is a renowned South African musician from Limpopo. She’s celebrated for her vibrant Limpopo house music, which she performs in her native Tshivenda.
Makhadzi's parents separated when she was young, and she grew up with her mother and two younger siblings, including her sister Murendani Moo Ralebona. She completed Grade 12 at Mukula Integrated School. Makhadzi began her career at just 13 as a dancer for Makirikiri Musical Group and later explored various musical styles, including hip-hop and Afro-pop.
Her big break came when she recorded a demo in a studio that caught the attention of Rita Dee Entertainment. At 19, she signed a record deal with the label in 2015, marking the start of her professional music career.
Makhadzi draws inspiration from Rihanna on album cover
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Makhadzi is looking to bare it all on her upcoming album, A Miracle Child. The star posted the album cover, and fans noticed some similarities to Rihanna's Unapologetic album cover.
BET award-winning South African star Makhadzi has unveiled the album cover for A Miracle Child. On the cover, Makhadzi is not wearing anything and has words written in bold. Some of the words used include machonisa, polygamy, BET, mjolo, her one-woman show, Phala-Phala, Arts and Culture, Clos Mic and many others.
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Source: Briefly News
