Nomzamo Mbatha’s Durban 'small town' remark ignites debate

Nomzamo Mbatha. Picture: Instagram

Nomzamo Mbatha. Picture: Instagram

Published Sep 25, 2024

Share

Actress and television personality Nomzamo Mbatha is being criticised on social media after she described Durban as a small town while dining in the US.

Celebrated actress was in New York for a United Nation General Assembly, where a collection of change-makers from around the world dedicated to addressing global challenges assembled, with the aim of inspiring action and driving measurable progress.

In a video that has been trending on social media, the “Shaka Illembe” award-winning actress is seen introducing herself in what seems like a dinner table where she referred to Durban as a small town.

This video has sparked some debate on social media, with people saying Durban is not even a town but a city. Durban, through its eThekwini Municipality, is one of eight metropolitans in South Africa, being among the biggest by size and budget, after Johannesburg, Tshwane and Cape Town.

“Durban is ranked as the 87th best city in the world out of over 10,000 cities, yet Nomzamo Mbatha referred to Durban as a small town. These Blacks who go to the US to look for work really talk nonsense about South Africa,” remarked one person on X.

X user @ZsaZsaSk said he’s disappointed in a way she described Durban.

“I was so disappointed, instead of saying, “ I am from the beautiful coastal City called Durban, it is in KwaZulu Natal where the Zulu Royal Kingdom is situated.”

@adv_Dube3 on X said: “Clearly Nomzamo is not talking about our Durban.”

Another X user @justlivingth wrote: “Maybe if she said the township she hails from it would have been okay than to say Durban is a small town. Mind you Durban isn't even a town it's a flippin city. But okay we move on.”

— HolyMarryMercy backupᴹ♚ᴶ❤ (@justlivingth) September 24, 2024

@Lindoku79797416 on X said: “Fair enough, but she could have also left at "I'm Nomzamo, I come from a city called Durban in South Africa.”

However, some people have also expressed that she was just being humble.

X user @successgreatnes said: “I just think she was being modest and humbled.”

Anothe X user @masana__k wrote: ”Haibo, but Durban is a small town though… everyone literally knows everyone there.“

@Cheez__sa on X wrote: “She's just being modest, y'all are always finding something to complain about.”

— Cheez._.sa (@Cheez__sa) September 24, 2024

IOL Lifestyle