Samke Mthethwa turns her classroom into a hub of cultural pride, leading daily voting drives to boost Tyla’s MTV VMA chances
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| Facilitator and businesswoman Samke Mthethwa encourages her students to vote daily for Tyla in the MTV VMAs, providing free Wi-Fi and fostering national pride. |
In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, South African facilitator and businesswoman Samke Mthethwa has taken it upon herself to rally support for rising music star Tyla. Using her platform and resources, Samke is encouraging her students to vote for Tyla in the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) a gesture that is as much about celebrating local talent as it is about pushing back against online negativity.
Tyla’s Journey and the Backlash
Tyla, one of South Africa’s fastest-growing music exports, has been making waves internationally. Recently, she released an EP featuring four tracks two of which had already been released as singles and managed to sell over 3,000 copies in the United States alone. While this is a significant milestone for a relatively new artist, her achievements have been overshadowed by a wave of online criticism, particularly from some Black American social media users.
The criticism stems from cultural misunderstandings around identity. In South Africa, “coloured” is a recognized multiracial identity, but in the U.S., the term is considered derogatory. Tyla has publicly clarified that she understands the term’s negative history in America and does not expect to be referred to that way by Americans. Despite this, detractors have accused her of “denying her Blackness,” using this narrative to justify not supporting her music and, in some cases, actively discouraging others from buying or streaming her work.
Samke’s Grassroots Effort
Rather than watch a talented South African artist be torn down, Samke Mthethwa decided to act. She not only urged her students to vote for Tyla in the VMAs but also went a step further by providing them with free Wi-Fi to make voting and streaming easier. This act of support reflects a larger movement among South Africans who are determined to see their artists succeed internationally, despite the obstacles.
Samke’s initiative has inspired others to join in encouraging streaming parties, sharing Tyla’s music on social media, and rallying friends and family to vote. Her approach blends mentorship with activism, turning an educational setting into a hub of cultural pride and artist advocacy.
Why This Matters
What Samke is doing is more than just fan engagement it’s a statement about unity, representation, and cultural pride. In a digital world where public perception can be swayed by misinformation or cultural disconnects, grassroots actions like hers remind us that artists often thrive because of the communities that stand behind them.
By mobilizing her students and creating an environment where supporting local talent is encouraged, Samke is not only amplifying Tyla’s chances at the VMAs but also teaching her students a valuable lesson about standing together and using their voices to create positive change.
A Call to Action
Tyla’s nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards is an opportunity for South Africans and indeed, music lovers worldwide to celebrate diversity and emerging talent. Whether through voting, streaming, or simply sharing her music, every action helps challenge negativity and uplifts an artist who continues to represent her heritage on a global stage.
Tyla’s 2025 MTV VMA Nominations
Tyla, real name Tyla Laura Seethal, has secured two nominations at the 2025 MTV VMAs for her hit single "Push 2 Start":
Best Afrobeats acknowledges her influence in popularizing Afrobeats and African pop globally, where she's the only South African nominee across heavyweight competitors like Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Wizkid.
Best Choreography highlights the visual flair of Push 2 Start, directed by Litchi Hov, which sparked a viral dance sensation and amassed over 100 million views across platforms.
As Samke Mthethwa’s example shows, sometimes it only takes one person’s initiative to turn a classroom into a movement.
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