South Africans can’t stop laughing at TikTokker’s dog name
An American TikTok creator recently left South Africans both amused and slightly bewildered after revealing the name of his dog: Khumalo.
Keon Blue, who often shares late-night musings on the platform, posted a video lying next to his bull boxer, casually stroking the dog while reflecting on how surreal it feels to lie next to a living, breathing animal.
But it wasn’t the existential pondering that grabbed attention, it was when he called out, “Khumalo.”
@keon.blue Like damn yo teeth sharp fren 😭😭😭 #food #fypシ゚viral #dogsoftiktok #blacktiktok #fy ♬ original sound – Keon Blue 🔱
‘Khumalo? Never in my life!’
As soon as the name hit the comments, South Africans flooded the section with laughter, confusion, and plenty of playful outrage.
“Khumalo? Never in my 25 years of life LMFAOOO this is so random,” one viewer joked. Another added, “Yhooo this is infuriating the Khumalo forefathers.”
The name sparked a mini cultural lesson. For South Africans, Khumalo isn’t just a random word, it’s a common surname with deep roots in Zulu and Nguni heritage, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s associated with notable figures including singer Kelly Khumalo, opera legend Sibongile Khumalo, actress Leleti Khumalo, and football star Doctor Khumalo.
Keon explains the inspiration
Keon responded to the cultural commentary calmly, revealing he knew the significance. “Oh yes, I’m aware. I love names within the African continent,” he wrote. He explained that he also wanted the dog’s name to feel like a character straight out of The Lion King.
It turns out his naming theme runs across all his pets: his other two dogs are called “Keyarah” and “Kenya,” keeping with African-inspired names.
When cultural curiosity meets South African humour
Despite the explanation, South Africans kept the jokes coming. Online, the mix of surprise, pride, and trolling ran rampant. Many commenters gleefully pointed out that Khumalo is a royal surname with centuries of history, not just a casual moniker.
The video quickly went viral, showing the power of TikTok to spark cross-continental conversations and, of course, South Africans’ unparalleled talent for humorous commentary.
Source: IOL
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