Durban - Zodwa Wabantu is not fazed by the public outcry over the dress she wore to the Vodacom Durban July last weekend.
Instead, the Durban socialite can’t imagine what the fuss is about as she was just being herself - and people have the right to choose their role models.
If it’s not her, so be it.
The 32-year-old wore a black dress with a hip-highslit that showed off more than what some people wanted to see.
“I am me, this is who I am, I am not fake and I don’t care what people say about me. People can speak negatively about me but at the end of the day, I am one responsible human being. Don’t judge me based on those pictures.”
She was referring to the photo taken at the horse racing event which trended on social media.
Zodwa Wabantu was seen among the celebrities who attended the Durban July at Greyville racecourse. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/AN Pictures
“I don’t post naked pictures like Kim Kardashian for fame. It’s the photographers who like taking my pictures. There’s only one photo that went viral that showed off my private part, that camera was positioned in a way that could see that far. I am not a bad person like people think I am, I don’t sleep with men for money so those who say I am a prostitute are wrong. Men hate me because I am not a loose girl angilahli mina (I don’t sleep around).”
Comments came thick and fast on social media. Some commended her for her bravery while others slammed her choice of dress, blaming such attire for the high number of rapes in the country.
“I can’t deny the fact that we live in a world with evil men who rape women. Even those who wear jeans and long skirts can get raped, it happens, it is not about what you are wearing.”
The single mother-of-one is a regular at uMlazi’s shisa nyama joint, Eyadini, where she is known for going vajayjay al fresco (not wearing underwear).
Born and raised in Soweto as Zodwa Libram, she claimed fame in Durban for her daring dress sense and bold dance moves.
Zodwa told the Sunday Tribune she has always been well known, and made the front page of a national tabloid newspaper for her relationship with Mandla Mthembu, who was celebrity Khanyi Mbau’s husband at the time.
“I am very open and I am a people’s person, I have always been famous in Soweto. The first time I was in a newspaper was when the Sunday World wrote a story about my relationship with Mandla Mthembu,” she giggled.
“Khanyi Mbau knows me very well, I was surprised when people told me she commented about that relationship on her show when Somizi Mhlongo (celebrity) said he was looking forward to come to Durban for the Metro FM awards so that he can meet me. That’s when Khanyi said I dated her man. I was like ‘why is she raising an old issue’, I am not there any more.”
Zodwa Wabantu Picture: Supplied
Zodwa said although she did not get a Lamborghini like Mbau, she got wads of cash from Mthembu.
She quit her job as a debt collector to focus on her social business as it was providing her with more money.
She said she is invited to events and is paid for it.
“I used to get paid R8 000 at work and made R30 000 per weekend for attending events. I became so busy with my social life and realised I was making more money than my daily job, and quit. I have travelled to places including London, Swaziland and the whole of KwaZulu-Natal. I get booked to appear in events by reputable business people, why would such people want to be associated with me if I was a bad person?”
While she may come across as someone who loves to party, Zodwa said she was more focused on her future. “I don’t waste money, I don’t buy long weaves.
“All I need is hair food moisturiser for my natural hair and Vaseline for my body.
“My friends are always telling me to think about the future because there will come a time when things will change. That’s why I’ve invested in student accommodation; I have two flats where students are staying.
“When I’m home, I become a child. I’m loved by my family as Zodwa Rebecca.”