Grammy-winning South African singer, Tyla, has addressed claims that she is not black.
On social media, rival fans alleged that she was “white/Indian” and not black.
In a statement on X, Tyla clarified that she is mixed race, with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian ancestry.
She explained that in South Africa, she would be classified as “Coloured”, but outside of her country, she would be classified as a black woman.
Tyla emphasised that she has never denied her blackness and understands the different classifications of race in various parts of the world.
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She proudly affirmed her identity as both Coloured in South Africa and a black woman globally.
The statement reads: “Yoh guys, [I have] never denied my blackness, idk where that came from…
“I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian and Coloured.
“In Southa I would be classified as a Coloured woman and in other places I would be classified as a black woman.
“Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.
“I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of Southa by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside of SA. But to close this conversation, I’m both Coloured in South Africa and a black woman.”