Award-winning South African singer Ndivhudzannyi “Makhadzi” Ralivhona has issued a public apology following criticism from the deaf community for allegedly mocking sign language in her recent music video. The controversy erupted when the South African sign language digital learning platform criticized her on Instagram, accusing her of disrespecting deaf culture.
In the video shared by the platform, Makhadzi was seen using sign language gestures that the community found offensive. Dieumercy Asan, a sign language mentor, expressed disappointment, stating, “By doing the sign gestures, Makhadzi did not only mock our language or disrespect our culture, but she taught her million fans that ‘this is normal,’ which is unacceptable in deaf culture. Deaf people don’t accept sign gestures. Making a mockery of a language so rich in history and culture is making a mockery of its people and the struggles they have endured.”
In response to the backlash, Makhadzi acknowledged the mistake and offered a heartfelt apology. She stated, “There are many things that happen without knowing how people will take it. As someone who is in the entertainment industry, this was part of acting without knowing how it would affect other people. However, if people are affected by a certain act, I must understand and accept I was wrong.”
She further emphasized her remorse and commitment to making amends: “I am willing to send a public apology. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I had no intention to hurt anyone from the deaf community. As someone who has been bullied, I understand how painful it is, and that others didn’t take what I did well. I’m taking accountability for that. Hence, I’m willing to send a public apology, but I do apologize for that; I had no bad intentions. I will release a statement next week.”
Makhadzi’s apology reflects a recognition of the impact her actions may have had and a willingness to address and correct the situation. The forthcoming public statement is anticipated to provide further clarity and demonstrate her commitment to respecting and understanding the concerns of the deaf community.
