South African teen sensation Naledi Aphiwe is trending once again—this time for her fierce online responses to trolls. The Ngiyabonga hitmaker recently found herself in the center of a social media storm after losing her iPhone 16 and hinting that a celebrity may have stolen it. The fallout has sparked mixed reactions, with some applauding her boldness and others warning that she may be harming her image.
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Naledi, who rose to fame after being featured on a Chris Brown song, has been the subject of both admiration and criticism since stepping into the spotlight. Now 18 years old and fresh out of matric, she’s not holding back on her thoughts, especially when facing backlash from the public.

The controversy started when Naledi took to social media to express her frustration over her missing iPhone 16. Though she didn’t name anyone directly, fans quickly speculated that rapper Fifi Cooper was the implied suspect. Fifi didn’t take the accusations lightly and clapped back, denying any involvement.

From there, things escalated. Trolls flooded Naledi’s Facebook and TikTok pages with hateful comments. One user wrote, “Naledi Aphiwe, as much as she is still young, she is stupid and annoying.” Another said, “We should not respect this kid anymore. She has no respect.”

Rather than staying silent, Naledi fired back. She told her critics that she didn’t need their support and even mocked some of their appearances. Screenshots of her responses quickly went viral after being shared by X blogger @TakaTina.

Public opinion on her reactions is divided. Some believe Naledi should ignore the negativity and focus on her career. Others admire her confidence and support her decision to stand up for herself. One fan commented, “She just gained an even badder fan.” But another warned, “In this industry, it never ends well for people like her. Soon she will be asking for donations.” 

Some fans sympathized with her, pointing out her age and inexperience. “Come on, give her a break. She is a child,” wrote one user. Still, others argued that her behavior is damaging her brand and could affect her career long-term.

Amid the chaos, Naledi seemed unfazed. A day after the incident, she posted a video of herself buying a brand-new iPhone 16, brushing off the drama with confidence. While some saw this as a power move, others viewed it as flaunting her privilege.

Naledi Aphiwe’s story highlights the double-edged sword of fame in the digital age. While social media offers a platform for young artists to connect with fans, it also exposes them to intense scrutiny. Whether Naledi will continue to thrive or fall victim to public opinion remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—she’s not going down without a fight.