Enhle Mbali Slammed For Using Offensive Hair Term – Actress Issues Emotional Apology

What was meant to be a glamorous partnership reveal quickly turned into controversy for award-winning actress and entrepreneur Enhle Mbali.

Recently unveiled as the new face of Carlton Hair SA, Enhle made headlines for all the wrong reasons after using an offensive term to describe natural African hair during her speech.

A clip from the event shows Enhle saying: “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.”

The remark, made in front of a mixed audience, spread rapidly on social media and ignited backlash, with many calling it inappropriate and insensitive.

Enhle Mbali Issues Heartfelt Apology

After days of being dragged online, Enhle took to social media to apologize, admitting that her choice of words was reckless and hurtful.

“I am posting this video to express my heartfelt apology as a black South African woman, for offending members of the South African community during my speech, as that was far from my intention,” she said.

She went on to explain: “The K word as it’s formally known, is still a sticky one with lots of history behind it. I spoke in the language (terminology) that we commonly used where I grew up.

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“We rendered the K word’s humiliation untrue, therefore it was never owned space. My intention was not to dismiss or demean any community while sharing my personal experiences.

“With that being said, I fully understand this is not the case for everyone. Once again, my sincerest apology #EmpressEnhle.”

Carlton Hair Stands by Its New Face

Despite the uproar, Enhle remains the newly appointed ambassador for Carlton Hair, a salon brand expanding its services to cater to ethnic hair textures.

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