Enhle Mbali sparks outrage for controversial 'k*fir hare' comment at public event

Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, recently introduced as the first celebrity ambassador for Carlton Hair, has come under fire for using the term “k*fir hare” during the event.

The actress and fashion designer is known for experimenting with bold hairstyles and colours, from blonde to auburn, all while embracing her natural hair.

Her partnership with Carlton Hair marks a major step for the brand, which was once primarily associated with Caucasian hair.

The collaboration signals that they are broadening their client base to cater to ethnic hair textures as well.

At the announcement event held in Hyde Park, Mlotshwa said she was excited to be part of the brand’s journey, sharing that the group “now deals with ethnic hair.”

Continuing her speech, she described her own hair as “k*fir hare,” a derogatory term used during apartheid to describe ethnic hair.

“Listen, it’s the new South Africa and I’m allowed to say this. I’ve got k*fir hare. And the black people know exactly what I mean and the coloured people know exactly what I mean as well,” she said.

She went on to add that it is the type of hair “you can clean pots with.”

While her comment drew laughter from the audience, it sparked outrage on social media.

A clip of the moment was shared on X by user @demz_1_1 with the caption: “So Enhle Mbali felt it was okay to refer to her coarse-textured hair as ‘k*ffir hare’ in front of white and coloured women? Yho.”

In a follow-up post, the user added: “As someone with thick 4c hair, not once did I ever think to refer to the texture of my hair as ‘k-word hair’. I wouldn’t dare associate any part of myself with that ugly word. Why tf would she think it’s an okay thing to say?”

Many echoed the sentiment, expressing disbelief that she would use the word in public.

@hymnfortaiwa wrote: “the k word remains an offensive racial slur even when it is said by a black person. we cannot reclaim it into positivity. it’s derogatory, contemptuous and violent. it’s an offence which falls under verbal crimen injuria. not a single situation necessitates it’s use.”

“This woman could have said anything else, ANYTHING else but she paused and said this?” added @Colo_Tau.

@snaledis agreed: “Absolutely not. It's derogatory and saying it is totally unacceptable, idc if you are a black person it's still derogatory.”

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