South African actress and fashion designer Enhle Mbali has come under fire after using a racial slur while speaking at the launch of her new partnership with Carlton Hair in Hyde Park.
During her address, Mbali referred to her natural hair as “kfir hare,”* a remark that was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.
“Listen, it’s the new South Africa and I’m allowed to say this. I’ve got kfir hare. And the black people know exactly what I mean and the coloured people know exactly what I mean as well,”* she said at the event.
The statement sparked widespread criticism, with many South Africans condemning her choice of words as deeply offensive given the term’s history of racial humiliation and discrimination.
In response to the backlash, Mbali posted an apology video on her social media platforms.
“I am posting this video to express my heartfelt apology as a black South African woman, for offending members of the South African community during my speech, as that was far from my intention,” she explained.
She further contextualised her comment, saying the word was commonly used in her community growing up, though she acknowledged its painful connotations.
“The K word as it’s formally known, is still a sticky one with lots of history behind it. I spoke in the terminology we commonly used where I grew up. We rendered the K word’s humiliation untrue, therefore it was never owned space. My intention was not to dismiss or demean any community.”
Despite the controversy, Mbali stressed her remorse and reiterated her respect for all communities.
The incident overshadowed what was supposed to be a celebratory moment for the actress. Just days earlier, she had proudly announced becoming the face of Carlton Hair South Africa’s new ethnic hair division.
“Last night was beautiful. I am excited to announce that I, Enhle Mbali, am the face of Carlton Hair SA. Yes, they work on and with ethnic hair now, dressed by Essie Apparel Couture,” she wrote on Instagram.
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