HARARE – Zimbabwean influencer Shadaya Knight Tawona, known for his often controversial and outspoken views, is currently at the centre of a trending debate in Zimbabwe.
The controversy arose after he shared photos of his girlfriend on social media, a move many perceive as hypocritical.
Shadaya Knight had previously used his online platform to discourage men from posting pictures of their girlfriends online.
In one of his earlier posts, he stated, “Never post a woman on your social media, you’re actually advertising her to a ‘better’ option. Or get fooled by her posting you, a woman can be high key lovey-dovey with you online whilst low key being shady shady. And the worst part is the internet (online in-laws) never forgets.”
This sudden reversal has ignited a significant response online, especially from women who have criticized Shadaya’s stance and the mixed signals he sends through his online presence.
Shadaya Knight is no stranger to controversy and has faced criticism from his fellow Zimbabweans, particularly women, on multiple occasions.
His “religion,” as some describe it, has been deemed toxic, and his attempts to reshape masculinity have been divisive.
One of his highly publicized social media moments came when he criticized rapper A$AP Rocky, questioning his role in his marriage with superstar Rihanna.
The tweet quickly garnered attention, with over 32 million views in just 24 hours.
In his tweet, Shadaya Knight suggested that A$AP Rocky was taking on roles that were traditionally considered to be ‘reserved’ for women according to the “sigma male manual.”
Tawona’s recent actions and the sharp backlash highlight the challenges of navigating public opinion, particularly when one’s views and principles appear to evolve or contradict previous statements.
In the age of social media, everything is scrutinized and remembered, and even online figures like Shadaya Knight are not immune to the court of public opinion.
The controversy surrounding his latest actions raises questions about authenticity and consistency in the realm of social media influencers and the influence their words can have on their followers.
