Latest news with #Babemba
TimesLIVE
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Taraji P Henson's 'Babemba' mix-up sparks social media outburst
According to the eHRAF World Cultures database, Babemba (or Bemba) people are not from South Africa at all. They are based in the highlands of northern Zambia, where they form the largest ethnic group in the Northern Province. 'The Bemba are the largest ethnic group in the Northern Province of Zambia occupying the district of Kasama and parts of Mpika, Chinsali, Luwingu and Mporokoso. They share a common language, Cibemba, and cultural identity rooted in their allegiance to the Citimukulu, their paramount chief.' South African audiences were quick to notice the slip, turning to humour as a way to process the mix-up, with South African actor Maps Maponyane also adding to the conversation. 'Good morning to all the members of the Babemba tribe of South Africa out there,' said Maponyane. Others took to social media to make light of the moment, with X user Karabo Mahlok saying: 'I got paid on Friday and already broke. I want the Babimba (sic) tribe to surround me now.' Despite the geographic error, Henson's broader message resonated, especially her passionate tribute to black women. She honoured historic figures such as Catherine Johnson, Harriet Tubman and Michelle Obama, while also recognising the sacrifices made by everyday women. 'We are nurturers, nation builders. It's in the doing that we are often recognised, but it's the power of the unseen where we are often ignored, the grandmothers who prayed over you so that you could walk across this stage today,' she said. She went on to speak candidly about her own upbringing in Washington DC. 'Divine intervention had me go down south to my grandma's house in Scotland Neck, North Cackalacky. I knew I wanted to make people laugh or cry or feel something. Grandma's house gave me access to the impossible by all measures.'
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Taraji P. Henson speaks on Unity and Healing at HBCU Graduation
Hollywood icon Taraji P. Henson brought heartfelt wisdom and cultural resonance to the 2025 HBCU graduation ceremony of Spelman College in Atlanta on Sunday, delivering a keynote speech that deeply moved the audience of graduates, families, and faculty. As an award-winning actress, activist, and advocate for mental health, Henson used her platform not just to inspire, but to connect the graduating class to their African roots and the power of communal healing. One of the most profound moments of her speech centered around an African ritual from the Babemba tribe of South Africa, which she shared as a metaphor for resilience and collective compassion. "When a person acts irresponsibly or harmfully," Henson explained, "they are placed in the center of the village, surrounded by every woman, man, and child, who for two days speak only positive affirmations, reminding that person of their good deeds and true nature." She emphasized that the tribe does not discard those who falter. Instead, their mistakes are seen as a cry for help, and the community works together to restore the individual's sense of worth. "The person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe," she continued. "This, for me, is my sister circle." Henson encouraged the graduates to lean into their own sister circles. She encouraged the ladies to find strength in their community, and to carry the ancestral wisdom and light within them. "You are never alone," she reminded the Class of 2025. The actress's deeply emotional and spiritually uplifting speech resonated across social media. The viral moment affirmed Henson's place not only in Hollywood but as a cherished voice within the HBCU community. The words of the Howard University graduate were a powerful tribute to the enduring strength, cultural pride, and spiritual depth that define the HBCU experience. This HBCU graduation address from Taraji P. Henson was not just a speech-it was a call to remember, to reconnect, and to rise together. Taraji P. Henson commands the screen with a dynamic filmography that spans genres. She exploded onto the scene in Baby Boy (2001), a timeless classic over two decades later. She then earned an Oscar nomination for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). On the small screen Henson stole hearts as Cookie Lyon in the hit FOX series Empire. Back on the silver screen she brought history to life in the critically acclaimed Hidden Figures (2016). She showcased her range in films like Hustle & Flow, Proud Mary, What Men Want, and Think Like a Man. With every role, Henson proves her place as one of Hollywood's most versatile and powerful actresses. The post Taraji P. Henson speaks on Unity and Healing at HBCU Graduation appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
