By Showbiz Reporter | ZimEye | U.S.-based boxer Themba Gorimbo has once again stirred controversy by repeating his previous statement that sparked outrage among fans of popular Zimbabwean dancehall artist, Winky D. Gorimbo, who recently celebrated his latest victory, took to social media to make what appears to be a subtle jab at the musician.
Posting a picture of himself following his win, Gorimbo wrote, “Handisi kuganza. Internationally recognised artist ? Handisi kuganza,” repeating the words he used earlier this year to mock Winky D’s international status. The phrase, which translates to “I’m not dominating,” is widely seen as a sarcastic remark, downplaying Winky D’s influence on the global stage.
This latest post comes months after Gorimbo found himself in hot water with Winky D’s legion of fans in July. Back then, he boldly claimed that he was on a higher level than the musician, saying, “Vanhu moda kundi jairira, mungandifanandize na Winky? Winky is local and I am global. Pane musiyano. Kana mazogara moziva local and global difference. Compare Winky nana Pashi,” which translates to, “You people are disrespecting me, how can you compare me with Winky? Winky is local, and I am global. There’s a difference. Once you understand that, you’ll know the difference between local and global. Compare Winky with Pashi (another local figure).”
The MMA fighter’s comments caused an uproar, with Winky D’s fans flooding Gorimbo’s social media with backlash, forcing him to delete the post.
Following the backlash, Gorimbo issued a public apology, admitting that his comments were intended as a joke and not meant to disparage Winky D. In his apology, he said, “Guys, on the Winky D thing, I made a mistake and thought it was just a small joke. My intention wasn’t to put Winky down or think I was better.”
He went on to express his admiration for the artist, acknowledging the role Winky D’s music played in inspiring his own journey. “Nothing said was from a bad heart. I love Winky D myself. His songs inspired me for years to work hard. I have many of his songs that I love,” he added.
However, Gorimbo’s latest social media post suggests the fighter may not have completely let go of the earlier dispute. While some fans of the boxer interpreted his message as harmless banter, Winky D supporters were quick to point out that Gorimbo is once again courting controversy. Whether Gorimbo’s latest comments will ignite another wave of criticism remains to be seen, but it’s clear that tensions between the boxer and the Winky D fanbase remain unresolved.
This developing saga has reignited discussions on the often blurred lines between sports and entertainment, as well as the growing phenomenon of athletes using social media to express themselves, sometimes to the detriment of their public image.