- King Monada's song Malwedhe is taking South Africa by storm – and inspiring the #IdibalaChallenge.
- Some are taking it too far – and emergency services have warned people to be careful.
- Malwedhe seems a solid contender for2018's New Year's hit song.
A new dance craze has gripped South Africa just ahead of the silly season – and it isn't entirely safe.
Limpopo-born musician King Monada's hit song Malwedhe, which means "illness" in the Bolobedu dialect of the Sepedi language, has inspired a dance unlike anything we've seen before.
UPDATE: The ‘fainting’ dance craze taking over South Africa is now infecting Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania – and has already hit China
The dance sees fans falling to the ground at the chorus and words: ke na le bolwedhe bao idibala (I have an illness of fainting).
ke gore motho must have di overall ka December ge a ya Limpopo just for go idibala?????? pic.twitter.com/Sq6dFT6rYy
— ??Djtee?? (@DjteeSA) October 31, 2018
The dance does not come from the original music video for the song, which has no falling.
The chorus has aroused imaginations, leading to the #IdibalaChallenge, where people simulate fainting. In all kinds of environments.
Happy Friday! #IdibalaChallenge pic.twitter.com/tcNJ0Wdecw
— #LiveTheMusic (@TheRealYaronaFM) November 2, 2018
Including classrooms...
So my classmates and I did the #idibalachallenge challenge ???????????? pic.twitter.com/4w5nRp0GYS
— Chitties ??? (@bleh98) November 7, 2018
school grounds...
#idibala challenge pic.twitter.com/xMZurxxmjP
— ??...Soso...?? (@SohsohTlholaga1) November 2, 2018
and construction sites...
#IdibalaChallenge King Monada will never disappoint you ?????????? pic.twitter.com/vVwr1fJrai
— Bongani (@QuotesByManzini) November 2, 2018
Even paramedics and emergency personnel are getting in on the trend.
ANNOUNCEMENT:You dump me kea idibala finish and klaar!! pic.twitter.com/4ScoNSM1xK
— Minister of Radio (@2018_allen) November 3, 2018
Things can get out of hand.
A thread on what King Monada is doing to peoples children, it’s fast getting out of hand ?? #idibalachallenge pic.twitter.com/HbriZaWpvg
— Mochabe???? (@Luda01) November 6, 2018
Some have gone so far as doing the challenge while driving.
#idibalachallenge I am not about to miss a challenge from Limpopo never pic.twitter.com/T6iI9bLhRX
— ????minister of VENDA PEOPLE (@Zero110_c63) November 3, 2018
Lol the best I've seen so far.. #idibalachallenge pic.twitter.com/inAn2mI9Qr
— BrotherGee92™ (@VitaminG_GP) November 8, 2018
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned against this, urging motorist to be more cautious.
Because singer, and apparently the dance craze, both originate in Limpopo, there have been allegations that the Limpopo Department of Health will be increasing the number of it ambulances on standby in anticipation of injuries stemming from the dance.
Does this mean that the government is approving this "idibala" dance????? #MalwedheChallenge #idibalachallenge pic.twitter.com/9QCfRxJu7Q
— ??Dark Chocolate?? (@Mudau1Dark) November 8, 2018
"This is fake news," spokesperson, Thabiso Teffo, told Business Insider South Africa.
"We only ever increase the number of ambulances in anticipation for busy periods like the festive season, we will never do so for a dance".
He has, however, cautioned people to dance responsibly.
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