Cape Town – South African content creator and former MasterChef SA contestant, Onezwa Mbola, has accused TikTok counterpart, Nara Smith, of stealing her ideas.
This comes forth after Smith was allegedly caught creating a handful of dishes similar to Mbola, with her video style and technique alike.
Both creators have found a niche in creating meals from scratch, with their soothing voiceovers serving as a recipe guide. However, the originality of Smith’s content has come under scrutiny, following a posted video of her making boba tea, days after Mbola made her very own as well.
“What’s your drink order? #easyrecipes #homecooking #fypツ #drink #boba #cravings“, Nara captioned her video.
@naraazizasmith what’s your drink order? #easyrecipes #homecooking #fypツ #drink #boba #cravings ♬ Just Give Me One More Day – Alej
Meanwhile, on the other side of TikTok, days prior to Smith’s post, Mbola shared a similar video in which she created a comparable drink.
“• Guava Boba : guava leaf tea, guava infused goats milk
• goats cheese, mushroom and spinach galette 💚🤌🏾
#fyp #rurallife #farmlife #ezilalini #southafrica #dayinmylife #viral“, she wrote.
@onezwambola • Guava Boba : guava leaf tea, guava infused goats milk • goats cheese, mushroom and spinach galette 💚🤌🏾 #fyp #rurallife #farmlife #ezilalini #southafrica #dayinmylife #viral ♬ original sound – Onezwa Mbola
The only difference in content is the type of tea that was made and the way in which it was done.
For a while, South African supporters have brought up the similarities between the two creators, by accusing Smith of stealing Mbola’s content.
However, after the boba tea clips, supporters are now more convinced than ever, that Smith is indeed copying Mbola’s brand.
“This is Onezwa, she is the creator that people have been speculating Nara Smith has been stealing from. Onezwa is a South African women who grows and forages for her own food and really makes her meals from SCRATCH! AND my sista knows how to read a hoe! Yall should go support”, the post read.
This is Onezwa, she is the creator that people have been speculating Nara Smith has been stealing from. Onezwa is a South African women who grows and forages for her own food and really makes her meals from SCRATCH! AND my sista knows how to read a hoe! Yall should go support 🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/u9qzdF0wKf
— Smoker Boi😮💨™ (@octaiiviannn) June 16, 2024
After the thread made its rounds, support for Mbola came in abundance.
Here’s what some had to say:
“Nara steals content and not just from Onezwa. Tini posted her making Nutella from scratch, and a week later, Nara dropped hers. Nobody ever truly owns a recipe, but ole girl must give credit to the creators who inspired her videos, it can’t always just be “cravings””
“I’m glad my girl is getting the recognition she deserves ❤️”
“I believe the allegations. These so called influencers do it all the time & they don’t expect the micro influencer to say anything since their following is small to gain traction. I’m glad Onezwa spoke up so let’s see Nara next move. Give credit to those who inspire. That’s it!”
Nara vs Onezwa continuation
Following the drama, Onezwa spoke to The Citizen, with regards to her personal thoughts on the issue.
““I don’t know if she’s going to stop with other creators because a lot of other people have said that she’s been stealing from so and so. I’m not the only person she’s been doing this too”, the report quoted her as saying, further confirming that she will continue creating and posting content on both TikTok and Instagram.
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Picture: Instagram/@onezwambola and @naaraziza
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Compiled by Lauren Petersen
