A white DJ has sparked controversy in South Africa by claiming she is “too black” to fit in.
Anita Ronge, who mostly plays South African house music, has been accused of cultural appropriation for wearing traditional African clothing and jewellery in photoshoots.
She wrote on social media: “I get rejected for not being "black enough" and being "too black" to be white...”
The 26-year-old added that she is proud to be “kasi mlungu” – which means a white person from a suburb with a predominantly black population.
Her comments have triggered outrage across South Africa.
Journalist Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile wrote: “Being a black person is not an outfit or attire white people can wear when they see fit, it’s the hardest thing I myself have ever had to be.
“Blackness comes with socioeconomic circumstances.”
But the DJ has defended herself in a series of media interviews, explaining: “When I was at school I got backlash from white people for having black friends and a black boyfriend. I felt like I had to hide who I was.
“But I’m not that 15-year-old girl anymore and I can be who I want. This country needs to sort itself out. It’s 2017 — we should be celebrating each other.”
MORE ABOUT