Picture: Instagram/@bonang_m
After Bonang Matheba presented Tyla with the AfriPure International Achievement Award at the 32nd edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMA32), many people online accused the star of copying the vocal presenting style of sport broadcaster Carol Tshabalala.
Both media personalities are known for their husky tone.
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Did Bonang Matheba copy Carol Tshabalala?
An impressed X user, @MaiwasheK, posted a video of Bonang on stage at the SAMAs and captioned the post: “Bonang Matheba… The voice.”
However, another social media user, @TylerSydSA, disagreed, stating that the running narrative of the media mogul being “the voice” was “wrong.”
@TylerSydSA replied to the post, “I love Bonang so much, but she copied Carol Tshabalala. The same voice and everything. It’s just that Carol only focused on sport presenting, and Bonang saw the gap and ran with it.”
This narrative that she is the voice is wrong. I love Bonang so much but she copied Carol Tshabalala.
The same voice and everything, just that Carol only focused on sports presenting and Bonang saw the gap and ran with it https://t.co/Okyq0328gb
— Tyler SYD (@TylerSydSA) August 16, 2026
Also see: Carol Tshabalala reflects on working at her 6th FIFA World Cup
South Africans divided
Many members of the online community took sides, with some defending Bonang and her signature style the world has come to love.
@IconikOnly, who thought there were instances of copying, wrote, “Lol 101% correct, she was lucky enough to have the likes of Carol Manana and Nonhle Thema as her memorandum. Mixed it with hard work, which resulted in the phenomenal being that we are witnessing.”
“Bonang always has y’all pressed on this app,” commented @DeenickJ.
“Guys, speaking did not start with Carol or Bonang. Can we just respect talent without comparison?” asked @I_am_Who_I_aam.
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