South African singer Naledi Aphiwe is facing backlash after making controversial remarks about the Shembe Church, a religious community with a significant following. The Romeo and Juliet hitmaker sparked a social media storm after commenting on the practice of older men courting young girls to marry, which has been a contentious issue within the church. Naledi expressed her personal disapproval, claiming that she would rather remain single than marry an older man, criticizing the practice as dangerous and detrimental to young women’s well-being.
In her social media post, Naledi went as far as to suggest that the elderly men courting young girls could die soon due to health issues, adding that the women would end up widowed at a young age. She also questioned the morality of such relationships, stating that the men should be placed in old age homes rather than engaging with young women. Her bold statements quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
The Shembe Church wasted no time in responding to the singer’s comments. Spokesperson Thokozani Mncwabe condemned her remarks, calling them offensive and inappropriate. Mncwabe dismissed Naledi’s views, stating that the church had no interest in engaging with the singer and urged her to stop criticizing their practices. He also suggested that Naledi was “a lost soul,” troubled by personal demons, and warned her that if she continued her public critique, the church would address it further.
The exchange between Naledi and the Shembe Church has fueled ongoing debates about the intersection of tradition, religion, and modern values in South Africa. While some argue that Naledi’s concerns are valid, others feel her comments were unfairly harsh and disrespectful. As the controversy unfolds, both Naledi and the Shembe Church are likely to remain in the spotlight, with tensions continuing to rise over the clash of perspectives.
