South Africa: Simphiwe Dana Accuses 'Shaka iLembe' and Nomzamo Mbatha of Hairstyle Theft

 

Acclaimed South African singer Simphiwe Dana has ignited a firestorm of debate after publicly accusing actress Nomzamo Mbatha and the creators of the hit series Shaka iLembe of appropriating her distinctive Afrocentric hairstyles without proper credit.

In a post, which was swiftly deleted but not before screenshots circulated widely, Dana voiced her frustration early Monday, July 28, 2025. The "Ndiredi" hitmaker claimed a pattern of style appropriation, asserting that her unique aesthetic has been repeatedly used without acknowledgment or appreciation.

"I’m now fed up with brands appropriating my style," Dana reportedly wrote. "The least you can do is acknowledge where you got the ideas from. I’m talking to you, Shaka iLembe and Nomzamo Mbatha. The other sister I won’t mention. It started here. Appreciate, don’t appropriate."

The deleted post quickly became a hot topic online, with fans and social media users expressing a mix of shock, support, and criticism regarding Dana's strong allegations. Neither Nomzamo Mbatha nor the Shaka iLembe production team has publicly responded to Dana's claims as of yet.

This incident has once again brought to the forefront discussions around intellectual property, cultural appropriation, and recognition within the creative industries.

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