Makhadzi said it was not intentional to hurt the deaf community
Ndivhudzannyi “Makhadzi” Ralivhona apologises after being dragged by the deaf community.
The award-winning singer was called out for being disrespectful by mocking the sign language during the shooting of her recent music video.
The South African sign language digital learning platform criticised her on Instagram and shared the video.
“By doing the sign gestures, Makhadzi did not only mock our language or disrespect our culture, but she taught her million fans that ‘this is normal’, which is unacceptable in deaf culture. Deaf people don’t accept sign gestures. Making a mockery of a language so rich in history and culture is making a mockery of its people and the struggles they have endured,” sign language mentor Dieumercy Asan said.
Makhadzi responded with an apology and said she didn’t mean to hurt anyone.
“There are many things that happen without knowing how people will take it. As someone who is in the entertainment industry this was part of acting without knowing how it will affect other people. However, if people are affected by a certain act, I must understand and accept I was wrong.”
“I am willing to send a public apology, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I had no intention to hurt anyone from the deaf community. As someone who has been bullied, I understand how painful it is and that others didn’t take what I did well. I’m taking accountability for that. Hence, I’m willing to send a public apology, but I do apologise for that, I had no bad intention. I will release a statement next week,” the music star said.
