South Africans Slam Tiwa Savage Over Apology on Tyla’s Behalf

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage is facing backlash from South Africans after she publicly apologised to African Americans on behalf of Grammy-winning singer Tyla.

The controversy stems from Tyla’s choice to identify as Coloured rather than Black, a term rooted in South Africa’s complex racial history. Her comments sparked heated debates online, particularly among African Americans who questioned the distinction.

In a recent interview, Tiwa attempted to ease tensions by offering an apology to African Americans, describing the situation as a misunderstanding linked to Tyla’s youth. But her remarks drew outrage from South Africans, who accused her of overstepping and dismissing Tyla’s lived identity.

Outspoken music executive Nota Baloyi led the charge, blasting Tiwa in a scathing post:

“Nigerians will apologise for anything but being slave traders… She’s literally speaking to her victims, thanks but no thanks Tiwa. After leaking your own sextape for clout you really have tried it all, this stunt won’t work either!”

Veteran broadcaster Penny Lebyane also criticised Tiwa, saying her apology was disrespectful to Tyla and South African culture:

“Tiwa Savage was forward and disrespectful to Tyla’s identity, culture, and lived experience. She wants to score points with Americans via Tyla. She should’ve apologised to Beyoncé for things she said in the past. Tyla did nothing that requires her apology.”


The criticism didn’t stop with public figures. Many South Africans on social media echoed similar sentiments, questioning why Tiwa involved herself in an issue so deeply tied to South Africa’s racial politics.

One X user wrote:

“Tiwa Savage apologising to Americans on Tyla’s behalf? She isn’t South African and doesn’t have the cultural range to speak on SA race politics. Framing Tyla as ‘being young’ for standing by her racial identity is insulting.”


Another added:

“Why would interviewers ask a Nigerian about South African racial categories — and why would she answer when she clearly knows nothing about it?”


As the debate rages on, Tiwa Savage finds herself at the center of a storm that highlights not only cultural misunderstandings but also the sensitivities around identity in South Africa’s unique racial landscape.