Former Ukhozi FM radio host Ngizwe Mchunu is back in the spotlight, facing backlash after leading a traditional Zulu dance inside a Nando’s restaurant.
The performance, filmed and widely shared on social media, has sparked a heated debate about whether cultural displays belong in public spaces like restaurants.
VIDEO: Ngizwe Mchunu and his crew performing a traditional Zulu dance at a Nandos outlet in Phoenix in Durban on Friday. pic.twitter.com/PpuqbUgGB7
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 15, 2024
This incident follows Mchunu's headline-making stunt on a FlySafair flight just a month ago when he and his group broke into song, much to the annoyance of passengers.
Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s chief marketing officer, told IOL that "Appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with our procedures, which may include barring the individuals involved from future FlySafair flights.”
Public reaction to Mchunu’s recent performance at Nando’s has been split, with many social media users expressing frustration over what they perceive as inappropriate behaviour.
One Twitter user, @AkanimiltonM, tweeted, “This guy must stop this nonsense. Not everyone enjoys what he's doing, and he's doing it inside the restaurant.”
This guy must stop this nonsense not everyone enjoy what he’s doing and he’s doing it inside the restaurant 🤦
Another user, @TiinoSavage1, commented on the potential consequences of such actions. “Is he familiar with ‘right of admission reserved’? He will be banned in most businesses; there’ll be nothing he can do about it.”
Is he familiar with "right of admission reserved "? He will be banned in most businesses there'll be nothing he can do about it pic.twitter.com/1TxBxIQidT
— chomi ke Papao (@Tiino_Savage1) September 15, 2024
Some have come to Mchunu’s defense, praising the cultural expression and talent on display. @Ras_LaMajor tweeted, “Let’s be honest, these guys can dance. Surely Nando’s, as a brand with national reach, wouldn’t have a problem with brilliant local traditional dancers giving a free show.”
Let's be honest, these guys can dance 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Surely Nandos as a brand that has national footprint that reaches even the traditional homelands in SA including in KwaZulu Natal, why would they have a problem with a brilliant local traditional dancers giving a free show?
— #CHIDIMA2024 🖤 (@Ras_LaMajor) September 15, 2024
@ArthurGYon1 said, “Attention seeker. It's not about tradition or culture, it's about self-elevation from a person with an inferiority complex.”
Attention seeker
It's not about tradition or culture it's about self elevation from a person with a inferiority complex
@muzi2104 did not hold back, tweeting, “He must be banned everywhere until he learns to use whatever is left of his brains.”
He must be banned everywhere until he learns to use whatever is left of his brains.
— Inswelaboya, inja yenja! (@muzi2104) September 15, 2024
As the debate continues online, Nando’s has yet to comment on whether they will allow such performances in their restaurants.
Public opinion remains divided, with some supporting Mchunu’s right to cultural expression and others calling it an unnecessary disruption.
IOL News