South African music fans have rallied behind legendary singer and actress Thembi Seete after a video surfaced online showing what many perceived as disrespectful behavior towards her by fellow musicians Zee Nxumalo and Cici. The clip, which quickly went viral on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), sparked heated debate and left fans divided.
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The incident took place at a glitzy entertainment event where Thembi Seete, Cici, and Zee Nxumalo were all in attendance. In the now-viral footage, Thembi is seen standing alongside Zee and Cici, preparing to take a group picture. Holding her phone, Thembi politely asks, “Si yenza njani?”—a Zulu phrase meaning, “How are we doing this?”—referring to how they should pose for the photo.

However, what caught viewers’ attention was Zee’s seemingly dismissive attitude. Instead of responding to Thembi’s question, Zee Nxumalo continued chatting and taking selfies with Cici, holding a similar-looking phone. It was only moments later that they finally turned their attention to include Thembi in the photos.

While the interaction may have harmless to some, many online users viewed it as blatant disrespect to Thembi Seete, a revered figure in the South African entertainment industry and a member of the legendary group Boom Shaka. Her legacy spans decades, with significant contributions to both music and television.

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Fans of Thembi Seete did not take the matter lightly. They flooded X with comments defending her, accusing Zee Nxumalo of being rude and lacking basic respect for industry veterans. Some users went as far as calling for Zee to apologize or face public backlash for her perceived snub of a national icon.

One user, @UnathiPlaatjie, expressed their disappointment by pointing out that Zee was even chewing gum during the encounter, labeling the behavior as disrespectful. Another, @Asa_Sigoxo, noted how Zee appeared to engage exclusively with Cici, while @dmx_ronny remarked that Thembi Seete “felt it,” commending her for remaining composed despite the awkwardness of the situation.

In response to the growing controversy, Cici took to Instagram to post a clip of her warmly hugging Thembi Seete, seemingly in an attempt to downplay the perceived tension. Alongside the video, Cici wrote, “Please stop,” urging people not to blow the situation out of proportion. However, the video did little to ease the concerns of those who felt that Thembi had been disrespected.

Others praised Thembi Seete for maintaining her composure and professionalism, even in the face of what appeared to be a deliberate snub. “Our queen has had PR training so much that when she was mized, she kept her composure,” commented one supporter.

Despite the drama, Thembi Seete continues to stun fans with her beauty and grace. Just weeks before the incident, she wowed followers with glamorous photos taken at a press briefing for the Kings of Joburg premiere.

As for Zee Nxumalo, fans hope she will take the criticism constructively and show more respect to those who paved the way for her in the industry.