Influencer and popular TikToker Nara Smith has been nominated for Food Influencer of the Year in the 4th annual South African Social Media Awards (SASMA).
She is up against well-known celebrity chef Siba Mtongana, among others. However, Nara’s nomination has sparked controversy, as she is not a South African citizen. Many Mzansi netizens have expressed their outrage on social media.
@MissPetse tweeted: “The SASMA’s including Nara Smith in their Food Influencer of the Year category and not Onezwa Mbola is sooo messy!”
The SASMA’s including Nara Smith in their Food Influencer of the year category and not Onezwa Mbola is sooo messy!
— Sinentlantla Petse (@MissPetse) August 17, 2024
@PhilMphela added: “I guess the SASMA (South African Social Media Awards) learned a thing from Miss SA. Don’t miss an opportunity for free publicity. They knew nominating Nara Smith and snubbing Onezwa Mbola would create online furore. Rage bait much? Well, we talking about SASMA now.”
I guess the SASMA (South African Social Media Awards) learned a thing from Miss SA ?
Don’t miss an opportunity for free publicity.
They knew nominating Nara Smith and snubbing Onezwa Mbola will create online furore.
Rage bait much? ? well, we talking about SASMA now ✅ pic.twitter.com/8YSbzlG1pH
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) August 17, 2024
@wickieswrath reacted: “The SASMA seriously missed the mark by nominating someone who can’t even own up to their influences. How does SASMA recognise a chef who lacks originality? They seem more interested in giving opportunities to those who don’t truly represent us.”
The SASMA seriously missed the mark by nominating someone who can’t even own up to their influences. How does SASMA recognize a chef who lacks originality? They seem more interested in giving opportunities to those who don’t truly represent us.
Onezwa | NaraSmith | SASMA pic.twitter.com/o8hEbXT65u— Wickie (@wickieswrath) August 17, 2024
Despite the backlash, event organisers have defended their decision to include Nara, telling BrieflyNews that a fan nominated her, and they were not at liberty to disclose the nominator’s identity.
In their statement, they emphasised that SASMA acknowledges influencers who have made an impact on the South African landscape “regardless of location.”
Nara’s nomination is particularly controversial due to her ongoing feud with content creator and chef Onezwa Mbola.
Onezwa has accused Nara of using her ideas, to which Nara responded with threats of legal action.
Words:Fame Frenzy
