Relebogile Mabotja’s “Pantsula in Paris” Video Sparks Heated Debate Online

 A light hearted video intended to celebrate culture abroad sparks sharp online criticism and debate.

What was meant to be a playful moment in Paris has turned into a conversation about cultural representation and self-awareness image @relebogile via Instagram 

South African broadcaster and media personality Relebogile Mabotja recently posted a lighthearted video on social media titled “Pantsula in Paris”, where she is seen walking down a Parisian street mimicking the iconic South African Pantsula strut and hand gestures. Set to a Pantsula soundtrack, the video ends with a close-up of a passerby’s puzzled expression  a moment that quickly became meme material.

While clearly intended to be playful or culturally expressive, the video sparked an intense and often critical response online.

Pantsula in Paris! 🇿🇦#MagitalnParis#RMTravels #40Before40 #Paris pic.twitter.com/1XKTghpOJb

— Relebogile Mabotja (@RelebogileM) July 23, 2025

Social media users responded with a mix of humor, discomfort, and criticism:

 “The audacity it took to film this, edit it, and still hit 'post’ unbothered and unashamed is truly art.”

“The lack of self-awareness? Staggering. The confidence? Misplaced. The result? A tragedy.”

“Why did you do this my sister? It’s not even funny. It’s weird…”

“That YouTube money make people do weird things.”

Others questioned the authenticity of the dance:

 “The only ‘pantsula’ in this video is the soundtrack.”

One of the more widely shared sentiments touched on how South Africans present themselves overseas:

 “I always wonder why people act mad when they get overseas and start doing weird stuff.”

Critics argued the video felt out of place, performative, or misaligned with the spirit of Pantsula a dance form deeply rooted in township expression, struggle, and rhythm. Some felt the clip turned cultural pride into performative content, especially when removed from its authentic setting.

As of now, Relebogile Mabotja has not addressed the backlash. The post remains live, and the media personality has continued engaging with her usual online content without referencing the viral response.

The incident has sparked broader questions around cultural performance, creative freedom, and social media’s fast judgment. Was it a playful nod to home culture in a foreign city? Or an awkward moment that unintentionally missed the mark?