It's that time of the year again when we look back at the 12 months that were and what defined them. This year marks 30 years of South Africa's democracy, one defined by a new political system and a growing definition on what freedom means.
However, great steps were also made in our pop culture. Once again, our creatives scooped major awards at the Emmys and Grammys and even wowed us as leaders of global music trends.
It is undeniable that Tyla has skyrocketed into a powerhouse reflective of South Africa's three decades of pushing our “unity in diversity”, with music blending the myriadgenres loved, and some birthed, in the country. From toting packs of pap in her handbag to shimmying her way to become this year's undisputed Met Gala queen, she has certainly left a mark in the entertainment industry. However, her authentic South African identity drew the ire of many.
After numerous TikToks and a Breakfast Club interview, Tyla was questioned on her racial identity, more so by American fans. Convinced that there was an issue with her being coloured (confused with the racially derogative American term, colored) their fierce view of her racial identity became a hot-button topic for several months. Even to the extent of calling her an “uppity African” upon requesting help with carrying her award statuette at the MTV VMAs.
As we celebrate our 30-year democracy, seeing South Africans defend Tyla was groundbreaking. The conversation came with so much baggage and history dating back before democracy. Embracing this diversity, however, seems quite limited in a year that was overrun by xenophobia, sexism and transphobia.
While the likes of Tyla enjoy the unyielding support of South Africans who understand and accept her for who she is, this contrasted with how other issues have been tackled this year. Chidimma Adetshina entered the Miss South Africa pageant hoping to take the crown like many queens before her. However, she and Sherry Wang, who is of Chinese descent, were questioned on whether they were the best fit for the job while 2023 contestant Melissa Nayimuli was reminded of the vitriol she received for having a foreign-sounding surname.
The latter was told to speak her mother tongue as often as possible to prove her South African-ness, something Adetshina could not do. While Wang did not make the top 16 that competed in the reality show leg of the competition, Adetshina would land in hot water with some of the pageant's fans.
The ensuing months were filled with vitriol that claimed Adetshina's ancestry made her unfit for the role, a sentiment that quickly morphed into calls to have her deported once it was found that her mother had gained South African citizenship illegally.
As per the heckling crowd's demand, Adetshina resigned and entered the Nigerian pageant instead, where she won the crown. Furthermore, her winning run on the Miss Universe stage saw her embrace fashion and rhetoric centred on Nigeria's ethos, “unity and faith, peace and progress”, a green and white shadow that would eclipse South Africa's rainbow nation ethos in comparison. This was especially a bad look for South Africa, whose legal delegation was fighting for the freedom of Palestine and its history with violent xenophobia.
The same apathy applied when Chris Brown was announced as an international act for the festive season. For more than a decade, activists have in different ways expressed their ire with the pop singer's performances in South Africa, a country plagued by worrying gender-based violence statistics. Brown was quick to dismiss the contrarians, which led to panic that he was being misjudged.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, experts said there was a lack of empathy from Brown's fans. Assuming the protest was about his 2009 assault case for an attack on Rude Boy singer Rihanna, Brown's fans made the mistake of not informing themselves about his other assault cases.
When Women for Change activists took a stance against the matter, they were quickly derided and sent death threats. While their petition made the necessary numbers, it was not heard by the sport, arts and culture ministry, with the minister himself, Gayton McKenzie, now doling out free tickets to the show.
When looking back at what defined this year, it's hard not to see it as one where hatred ran rife. Reports of young women exiting churches and those who embraced the uninhibited Brat summer trend in search of freedom greatly contrasted with their male counterparts, who ran to the arms of conservative beliefs and problematic thought leaders. From JK Rowling's transphobia to Donald Trump's return to the White House, 2024 was the year of the mampara, giving platforms to stars who are best left alone in their corners.
This sentiment also seeped into the behaviours of superfans like Nicki Minaj's “Barbz”, who defaced Megan Thee Stallion's mother's grave — in retaliation for the latter rapper's stance on personal politics against misogyny and paedophiles.
2025 ushers in a lot of introspection on the direction of pop culture's biggest names and what it will mean to be a star. While Tyla might be South Africa's sweetheart, her constant acceptance of Afrobeat music awards consistently puts her in danger of being considered a culture vulture, especially as an artist who has gone on record saying her music is both Amapiano and pop.
As music mogul P Diddy reignites the long-lost flames of the #MeToo movement, his counterparts Jay Z and Beyoncé are under fire for similar alleged crimes and complacency, respectively. Powerhouses like Taylor Swift do not even hold the huge social power once assumed, as she could barely move the needle to shift minds during Kamala Harris' administration.
Ultimately, we are set to run the same lap around the sun with the same stars and new ones coming. How will South Africa's pop culture consumers react to the same problems this time around?
For opinion and analysis consideration, email Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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