Mzansi drags Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P Henson has found herself at the center of online backlash in South Africa after she mistakenly identified a Zambian tribe as South African during a high-profile speech.
The American actress, best known for her roles in Acrimony and Think Like a Man, was addressing graduates at the 2025 Spelman College Commencement Ceremony when she made the controversial remark.
While celebrating African cultural practices, Henson spoke about a ritual performed by the Babemba people, describing how, in their tradition, a wrongdoer is placed at the center of the village and showered with affirmations rather than punishment.
She claimed the tribe was from South Africa, a statement that quickly sparked outrage across social media.
Mzansi users on X (formerly Twitter) wasted no time correcting the actress, pointing out that the Babemba, more accurately, the Bemba, are actually based in Zambia.
WHAT IS THIS NOW???? 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/bUyahe18O0 pic.twitter.com/jzIGny9FX2
— uNzimande™ (@_Seluleko_) May 22, 2025
“Maybe she meant Southern Africa, not South Africa. The Babemba (Bemba) tribe is in Zambia, not in RSA,” wrote one user, @SuperXolani.
Another user, @Hlovo, posted the video and shared their confusion, highlighting how such misinformation can easily spread when shared on major platforms without proper research.
