Kenyan comedian's tweet about SA crime sparks backlash

Updated July 4, 2025, 3:29 p.m. | By Entertainment Reporter

'Haibo!' South Africans give Elsa Majimbo a piece of their minds after the comedian made fun of cell phone theft in the country.

Kenyan comedian Elsa Majimbo wearing red headphones — Kenyan comedian Elsa Majimbo/ Instagram (@majimb.o)

Elsa Majimbo has ruffled a few feathers on X after sharing interesting reasons for missing South Africa.

The Kenyan comedian regularly visits Mzansi and once lived in the country.

"I miss living in South Africa so much," she wrote this week. Majimbo then listed all the things that she loved about SA.

"I miss Groove, I miss watching ppls (sic) phones get stolen in real time, I miss biltong and Braai and Savanna. One of the best stages of my life," she said.

While many people found the post hilarious, some were less than impressed.

"You had to add that phones being stolen part to make us look bad," one South African replied.

Another person said, "Stay where you at. Where were you chilling where phones get stolen in real time?"

A third person summed up the controversy with one word, "Haibo."

However, not everyone was offended. Some defended Majimbo, saying she was simply joking – as comedians do.

"It’s not that deep. It’s like you all forget she’s a comedian."

An X user clapped back, "Aren't comedians supposed to be funny?"

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I miss living in South Africa so much. I miss Groove, I miss watching ppls phones get stolen in real time, I miss biltong and Braai and Savanna. One of the best stages of my life
— Elsa Majimbo (@ElsaAngel19) July 2, 2025

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Despite her seemingly shady joke, Majimbo is actually a big fan of SA, especially Johannesburg.

In a 2024 Instagram post, the content creator shared her experience in the city during a trip in 2021. She was in Jozi for a Valentino campaign.

Majimbo praised Joburg's restaurants, Speakeasy clubs and art galleries.

"It was just so cool. Cool, beautiful people wearing cool, nice clothes, doing cool, beautiful things. It was like an indie movie," she said.

Majimbo says she left South Africa for another shoot, but returned a few days later. It was during this trip that she decided to stay in the country.

"I just decided I'm not going home. That night, I told my assistant to cancel my flight back home. I called my mum and dad, and I told them, 'Hey, I'm gonna stay in South Africa.' And that is literally what I did."

During her time in SA, she learned how to skate and even had a fling with a 'skater boy'.

"I just stayed there doing fun, cool s*** with fun, cool, beautiful people. It was literally an episode of 'Euphoria' the whole time. I had to leave eventually, but that was my time in South Africa."

Watching cellphone crime aside, Majimbo is clearly in love with South Africa.

And who can blame her? We are the best country in the world!

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