₦airaland Forum

RandDigital:
Digital creator Chibuike Avukonke Udesike was raised in South Africa, shaped by Xhosa culture and speaking isiXhosa daily as part of his upbringing.

In recent years, however, he has built a new life in Nigeria — not as a visitor, but as someone who has immersed himself deeply enough to become fluent in Igbo and confidently claim it as part of who he is.

For someone raised in South Africa to a Xhosa mother and speaking isiXhosa daily, becoming fluent in Igbo is no small feat.

Igbo is one of Nigeria’s major indigenous languages, spoken predominantly in the southeastern region by the Igbo people, one of the country’s largest ethnic groups. Beyond communication, the language carries history, humour, spirituality, and communal identity. It is embedded in proverbs, music, storytelling and everyday village life.

Udesike has shared that it took him about three years to master the language.

On TikTok, where he posts under the name Chi-Chi, he has built a following of more than 208,000 people, amassing over 9.9 million likes. But what resonates most is not just the numbers — it is the message.

“Being Xhosa and Igbo is a flex. But being able to speak both isiXhosa and Igbo is a bigger flex,” he wrote in one widely shared clip.

The line was playful, but deliberate.

SA VERSUS NAIJA NARRATIVE

At a time when online discourse between South Africans and Nigerians can often lean toward rivalry or resentment, his content offers something different: pride without hostility.

He frequently refers to Nigeria as “back home.” In one video, accompanied by a Nigerian flag emoji, he wrote: “Now that I’ve gone back home can I rest.”

Laughing, he addressed the phrase “go back home,” noting that some assume there is struggle waiting elsewhere.

“It is fun here. We are not struggling,” he said.

He has also been open about facing negativity.

In one video, a TikTok user commented: “Manje sikubize kwerekwere (should we call you a kwerekwere)?”

The term “kwerekwere” is widely regarded in South Africa as a derogatory label used for foreign nationals, particularly fellow Africans. It has historically been associated with xenophobic attitudes and has been used to mock the sound of unfamiliar languages.

Instead of reacting with anger, Udesike laughed.

“As long as you are happy, mntasekhaya,” he replied, using the isiXhosa word meaning fellow home person.

But he then addressed the deeper issue directly.

“One thing I can never apologise for is being an Igbo man,” he said in another clip. “I am very proud of being Igbo. I owe no one an apology for being Igbo. What stands is that I am an Igbo man.”

In a separate caption, he acknowledged facing “rude comments and insults from rude people,” but added: “What remains is the fact that I’m still a graduate that passed with 10 distinctions.”

His responses follow a pattern: humour first, dignity always.

His Igbo name, Chibuike — meaning “God is strength” — reflects that steady confidence.

Yet while he embraces Igbo culture, he never erases his South African roots.

INCLUDING HIS PARENTS IN HIS CONTENT

Standing beside his mother in one video, he wrote: “When the topic is about having the best mom, I stand up and speak about my Xhosa mom.”

In another, he shared footage of his mother attempting to roast yam over an open fire for the first time in an Igbo village.

“My South African mom making roasted yam for the first time in the village,” he captioned it.

The scene — firewood crackling, laughter in the background — symbolised more than cooking. It reflected cultural exchange happening at family level.

A Xhosa mother participating in Igbo village life speaks to something larger than relocation. It signals welcome, curiosity and blending.

ONLINE REACTIONS

In the comment sections beneath his videos, many followers from both South Africa and Nigeria respond with encouragement and admiration. Some share their own cross-border marriages. Others say they are inspired to learn each other’s languages.

While criticism and xenophobic remarks do appear, they are often outweighed by messages of unity and support.

Udesike’s story does not ignore prejudice. It acknowledges it. But it refuses to centre it. Instead, it centres language, family, pride and love.

From strong Xhosa roots to Igbo pride, his journey is not about choosing one identity over another. It is about expanding identity.

In a continent often described through conflict, Chi-Chi's message is simple but powerful: belonging can be shared.

And sometimes, love between South Africans and Nigerians does not begin in diplomatic meetings or political speeches.

It begins in village kitchens, in TikTok comment sections, and in a young man laughing — fluent in more than two languages — and proud of them both.

eepeepook:
Pointless news.

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seppuku:
Village life is sweet for some people.

Nebes:
If you ever date a southern African woman, you might never consider our naija women again. Talking from experience.

Nebes:
If you ever date a southern African woman, you might never consider our naija women again. Talking from experience.

Pootle:
let fry beans to this news or what, this SA people hate us like we the once who colonized them

eepeepook:
Pointless news.

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Nebes:
If you ever date a southern African woman, you might never consider our naija women again. Talking from experience.

Nebes:
If you ever date a southern African woman, you might never consider our naija women again. Talking from experience.

eepeepook:
Pointless news.

xxxxxxxx

MeridianAutos:
We’re many!! I’m half Igbo half Lozi…🆙🇳🇬🇿🇲💯👍🏿

obagofizzy:
Write ur own make we see na

seppuku:
Village life is sweet for some people.

seppuku:
Pray the Southy girl stays with to you forever cause Naija women are for the long term.

mukthar2000:
You better quickly return that lady b4 ur Igbo brotherhood get angry with her with how Igbo was Always maltreated in SA.

seppuku:
Pray the Southy girl stays with to you forever cause Naija women are for the long term.

Igbophobia:
Don't you hate yourselves among yourselves within your own country?