Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has come under fire after apologising on behalf of South African Grammy winner Tyla in the ongoing debate over racial identity.
What she intended as empathy has ignited criticism across South Africa, where many see her remarks as overstepping.
During an interview on The Breakfast Club in the U.S., Tiwa Savage addressed the uproar over Tyla’s use of the term “coloured.” She acknowledged that in America, the word carries painful historical weight, but insisted Tyla meant no harm. Savage then added: “We apologise. We did not mean it, forgive us.”
South Africans were quick to push back, arguing that Tyla had already explained herself. In her previous statements, Tyla clarified that she identifies as “coloured” in South Africa — where it is an official ethnic classification — and as Black in other contexts. For many, Tiwa’s attempt to speak for her ignored that nuance.
Prominent broadcaster Penny Lebyane branded Tiwa’s apology “disrespectful,” while social media lit up with accusations that the Nigerian star misunderstood South Africa’s racial and cultural history.
Tyla’s Stand
Tyla herself has defended her position, explaining that her mixed heritage — Zulu, Irish, Mauritian and Indian — shapes her identity differently depending on context. She stressed that she has “never denied” her Blackness, even as she embraces her “coloured” identity at home.
The uproar underscores the complexities of racial identity across borders. Terms like “coloured,” neutral or even embraced in one country, can be deeply offensive elsewhere. Critics argue that Tiwa’s apology highlights the risks when public figures attempt to mediate across cultural lines without lived experience.
As debate rages online, calls are growing for Tiwa Savage to clarify her remarks, while others urge fans to respect Tyla’s right to self-identify. The controversy remains a stark reminder that in a globalised entertainment industry, context and agency are as crucial as intent.
