Hypocrite? Somizi reminded over ‘Zahara at the bar’ joke

In the midst of mourning the death of singer Zahara, Somizi Mhlongo has been reminded of a crude joke he made about the star a few years ago.

In 2017, the TV and radio personality accused the performer of being an “alcoholic” during his gig as co-host of the South African Music Awards.

Following her untimely death on Monday evening, the outspoken celeb chastised the public in an Instagram video message for “mocking” the star’s life challenges.

SOMIZI REMEMBERS ZAHARA
In the post, Somizi reflected on his state of mind amid the tragedy.

He said: “When I heard Zahara is in hospital and she’s not in a good condition, I thought, should Zahara not make it, I know for sure Zahara is going to be an overnight hero, icon. People are going to be saying how she was gone too soon, how she was amazing, how she was an amazing vocalist”.

He continued: “Yet we know that in reality, she was one of the most mocked personalities. People celebrated her downfall; people used to make fun of her situation. We knew she had her share of hardships. But she was hardly given her flowers.

“You have to die for you to be acknowledged, more respected, more honoured, and to be given your flowers literally and figuratively.

He added: “If Zahara cried for help, which she did, hardly anybody jumped. But look at the funeral.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Somizi (@somizi)

JOKES FROM THE PAST
Following his thought-provoking post, Somizi was reminded of his unkind words spoken out about Zahara.

During the closing segment of the SAMA’s, Somizi said to the audience: “We are almost at the end of the show and there’s an amazing after party, free bar…where is Zahara? She’s probably at the bar already”.

The next day, the star said on his Metro FM breakfast show: “If she’s offended, askies Zahara! It was only a joke”.

However – at the time – the singer was not amused.

She shared in an Instagram post: “I only wish what I heard about what Somizi said at the SAMAS is not true! because if he did, I am suing Somizi and the SAMAs for defamation of character. I am tired of this”.

ALSO READ: Modern-day Brenda Fassie? Uncanny similarities between Zahara and ‘MaBrrr’

Zahara and Somizi would later make up when he invited her to be a guest on his TV show Dinner With Somizi in 2020.

However, following her death, tweeps reminded the public about Somizi’s transgression.

Somizi: “Zahara was not appreciated enough in South Africa.. people were mocking her”

Also Somzi: pic.twitter.com/xT6i550u8u

— ChrisExcel (@ChrisExcel102) December 13, 2023

@sewelankoana: “Drag him. He’s busy there on Instagram acting like chief mourner”.

@DQFab_ZA: “Somizi dug his own grave on this one.”

@HermaineM: “Somizi is a hypocrite for that statement he made about Zahara.”