Taraji P Henson has found herself at the center of online backlash in South Africa after she mistakenly identified a Zambian tribe as South African during a high-profile speech.
The American actress, best known for her roles in Acrimony and Think Like a Man, was addressing graduates at the 2025 Spelman College Commencement Ceremony when she made the controversial remark.
While celebrating African cultural practices, Henson spoke about a ritual performed by the Babemba people, describing how, in their tradition, a wrongdoer is placed at the center of the village and showered with affirmations rather than punishment.
She claimed the tribe was from South Africa, a statement that quickly sparked outrage across social media.
Mzansi users on X (formerly Twitter) wasted no time correcting the actress, pointing out that the Babemba, more accurately, the Bemba, are actually based in Zambia.
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