Naledi Aphiwe Myongwane has issued a public apology following an incident at Mthandeni’s Summer Experience on Saturday, January 5, at eMdletshe in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
What was meant to be a moment of triumph turned into a chaotic situation, leaving fans disappointed and causing tension at the highly anticipated event.
In her apology, Naledi expressed regret for her actions, acknowledging the disruption caused:
“It was never my intention to cause any disruption or disrespect, especially to such a respected artist in the Maskandi community. I recognise that my behaviour was inconsiderate, and I deeply regret how I conducted myself on stage.”
Naledi also emphasised her respect for the community’s values, stating that she would take this opportunity to reflect on her actions, aiming to grow both as an artist and as an individual moving forward.
Fresh off her feature on Chris Brown’s single “Shooter” and a memorable meeting with the superstar during his visit to South Africa, Naledi had been eager to perform her biggest hits at the event.
However, a video that has since circulated online shows Naledi and her team seemingly interrupting Khuzani “Gatsheni” Ndlovu, who was already performing on stage. The crowd’s excitement quickly turned into frustration as fans expected to see their favourite artist, leading to a tense and chaotic scene.
Bottles and paper cups were thrown at Naledi, who appeared unaware of the escalating tension. She continued her performance, while Khuzani and his dancers hastily exited the stage. Eventually, Naledi was escorted offstage for her safety as the situation intensified.
In the wake of the incident, Khuzani addressed rumours circulating on social media regarding a supposed feud between him and Mthandeni. He clarified that there was no conflict between them:
“I don’t like what people are saying about Mthandeni and I not being on good terms. We are fine, and what happened on stage has nothing to do with him,” Khuzani stated.
Khuzani also suggested that the chaos may have been the result of actions by Naledi’s management team. “I think Naledi’s management was trying to flex their influence, which unfortunately didn’t go as planned,” he said.
The Maskandi artist also expressed his willingness to meet with Naledi’s team to help clear her name. “I would love to meet with Naledi’s team so she can feel confident performing alongside Maskandi artists in the future,” he said.
Khuzani condemned the throwing of objects at performers, stressing the danger such actions pose to artists. “It’s dangerous and unacceptable to throw things on stage. Artists must be able to perform in a safe environment,” he added.
Main image: Naledi Aphiwe Myongwane
