Yellow bone label for Kairo leaves DJ Zinhle fuming

28 March 2017 - 17:00 By TshisaLIVE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Image: via DJ Zinhle Instagram

House DJ, Zinhle Jiyane, was left seething after an encounter with a meter taxi driver who referred to her daughter as a yellow bone.

Zinhle took to her Twitter account to detail why she finds the term used to describe her daughter Kairo  "offensive and unflattering."

"When the Uber driver calls your child a “yellow bone”... I find that “yellow bone” rubbish quiet offensive. Some find it flattering, I don’t," she said to her over 1m strong Twitter following.

  • Winnie Mashaba on the late Matlakala Ramathoka: Rest in peace my sisterUniversal music has confirmed that gospel star Matlakala Ramathoka died on Monday after complaining about flu and chest pains. 

DJ Zinhle shares custody of her child with rapper AKA and explained that she will not allow people to label her daughter, who will turn two in July.  She added that she "respectfully" addressed the issue with the driver.

Yellow bone is an urban term used to describe light-skinned black people and has recently gained popularity with a strong divide on whether the term is positive or negative.

  • Miss SA: I can't wait to travel the country and get to know youAlmost two days after being crowned Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is determined to meet as many of her countrymen as possible. 

The DJ defended her stand against contrary views by some of her followers, adding that she is not forcing her opinions on them, but she is intolerant to the term. Many defended the use of yellow bone explaining that they thought it was a "compliment."

Zinhle, however, did not agree.

“Not forcing any1 to dislike the "yellow bone" thing, just expressing my opinion. I don't want my child to be labeled, label your damn self,” she said.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now