South Africa’s entertainment industry has been known to showcase talented individuals who have risen to fame without having a formal education or a strong command of the English language. The recent spotlight on some of these celebrities has ignited discussions about the role of education in achieving success in Mzansi.

 

 

One of the most talked-about cases is that of Thuthuka Mthembu, a 21-year-old actress who plays the role of Nonka on the popular Zulu soapie Uzalo. Thuthuka’s grammatical error in a tweet sparked widespread criticism of her English proficiency on social media. However, some defended her, pointing out that English is not her first language and that her acting skills are what matter.

Similarly, Babes Wodumo, a 27-year-old Gqom artist known for her hit song “Hololo,” has been ridiculed for her poor English skills. She has been open about the fact that Zulu is her native language and that she doesn’t see the need to learn English. Her fans have come to her defense, urging others to respect her identity and language preference.

Another example is Sana Mchunu, a 44-year-old actress who rose to fame for her role as Zodwa on the Mzansi Magic drama series Gomora. Sana’s background is one of poverty and lack of education, but she discovered her talent for acting and pursued it professionally. However, her struggles with English have been evident, and her character’s name has been criticized for not being an appropriate English term.