‘Our names are NOT a joke’: Unathi Nkayi fires back at JP Smith [watch]
‘Unlike our ancestors WE WILL MAKE YOU SAY THEM PROPERLY and RESPECTFULLY so,’ says Unathi Nkayi to JP Smith.
Media personality Unathi Nkayi is calling out Cape Town’s Mayoral Security and Safety officer Jean-Pierre “JP” Smith for his “joke” about “refusing” to pronounce an African surname, via an Instagram post on Wednesday 8 September.
JP SMITH REFUSES TO PRONOUNCE ‘NZELENZELE’
Idols SA judge Unathi Khayi joined the many other South Africans who are outraged at JP Smith refusing to pronounce Abongile Nzelenzele’s surname at an event.
“I’m not even going to try that surname. It’s too many vowels, too awkwardly placed. You need a short, compact one like me, Smith. That ensures anonymity, no-one can find you in the phonebooks… though we don’t have them anymore,” said JP Smith.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
The clip of JP Smith went viral on social media with many accusing him of racism. The city of Cape Town later released a statement saying that JP Smith met with Abongile Nzelenzele and he confirmed that he did not take offence at the “remark”.
ALSO READ: ‘Idols SA’ judge Unathi shaken after incident with violent taxi driver [watch]
‘OUR NAMES ARE NOT A JOKE’ SAYS UNATHI
Taking to Instagram Unathi Nkayi posted an image of herself in the Kaya FM studio with an audio recording over it. In the caption she calls out JP Smith saying that the names of Black people are not a joke. She then asked him to “gather” his dignity, love himself and put a little effort into pronouncing their names.
“JP SMITH Our names are NOT a joke. And unlike our ancestors WE WILL MAKE YOU SAY THEM PROPERLY and RESPECTFULLY so. Gather your dignity, love yourself and put just a lil effort into pronouncing our names,” wrote Nkayi on Instagram.
She thereafter affirmed that this is not the case of mispronouncing names in general, but she is directly speaking to JP Smith.
“And to anyone who is NOT BLACK who’s going to come and tell us about how people mispronounce their names too……DON’T I’m not talking to you I’m talking to JP SMITH. HAPPY HERITAGE MONTH,” she continued.
She went on to list the names of cities and airports that she feels people need to learn how to pronounce. Watch the clip here.
“Welcome to the new South Africa,” she ended.
ALSO READ: Turning back the hands of time? Somizi shares clip of botox treatment