Elana Afrika slammed for 'distasteful' tweet about cleaning houses for a living

TV personality Elana Afrika sparked outrage on social media after her comments about cleaning houses for a living was seen as "disrespectful" towards domestic workers earning minimum wage.

Elana faced the wrath of Twitter when she said that cleaning the house was so therapeutic, she understood why people did it for a living.

Cleaning the house is therapeutic. I understand why someone could do this for a living!

— E Afrika-Bredenkamp (@ElanaAfrika) April 20, 2017

Many of her followers were shocked and angered by her comments, and labelled it "insensitive" and "disrespectful" to those who had no choice but to clean houses for a living.

@ElanaAfrika Very distasteful tweet in a country where people clean other people's houses not by choice. We're not all privileged #Respect

— HotThaps (@HotPtato) April 20, 2017

@ElanaAfrika Getting paid less than R5000 is therapeutic? pic.twitter.com/jWXVxXSM1L

— iNceku ♥ (@Zenkosi_) April 21, 2017

@ElanaAfrika Hi @ElanaAfrika look at Sectoral Determination 7: Domestic Workers wage amendment 12/2016 & tell me if there’s anything therapeutic about it

— Mamokgethi Molopyane (@Reagoikanya) April 21, 2017

@ElanaAfrika  pic.twitter.com/vGPjnTA9CN

— Masumpa Sobhuza (@uLoyiso_) April 20, 2017

@ElanaAfrika Not when they have no other choice, and definitely not when the job doesn't pay enough to feed their families.

— Queen_Umhlaba (@Asa_YaMazembe) April 20, 2017

@ElanaAfrika Can I talk to you outside for a second?            pic.twitter.com/iOwJPTHNHd

— ☛s'busiso willie☚ (@budahyeah) April 20, 2017 

@ElanaAfrika My granny was a domestic when she was sick she sent her kids to go cos no work no pay. It was not her choice to do that work, it was to eat

— Eri Ca   (@erica9925) April 21, 2017

Elana Afrika demonizing the generational struggle of black woman who work as domestic workers just to gage her coolness. Wow!!! This girl.

— Spitch Nzawumbi (@SiphiwoNzawumbi) April 21, 2017

 

@ElanaAfrika What you've jst said not only is it insensitive,but also shows some level of ignorance towards those who are cleaners for a living. Uphakeme

— ✴THE MAYOR✴ (@Khule_Math) April 21, 2017

Elana initially responded to the backlash by telling a follower that she was being "too serious".

@melocle2012 You are too serious Nomhle  

— E Afrika-Bredenkamp (@ElanaAfrika) April 20, 2017

Only to later tell another follower that she had not meant to offend anyone with the tweet.

@TsholoLeb Wasn't to offend Tsholo. You should know that if you know me.  Hope you are loved.  ❤️

— E Afrika-Bredenkamp (@ElanaAfrika) April 21, 2017

When TshisaLIVE contacted Elana for comment, she agreed to respond to questions in writing, however had not done so by the time of publishing.