Naomi Osaka stuns entire continent with two words: 'Can't say that'
Naomi Osaka has caused backlash in Africa after unveiling the controversial name of her new business venture with NBA superstar LeBron James.
The former World No.1 - who pulled out of Wimbledon due to injury - announced this week that she was launching a media platform called 'Hana Kuma' in partnership with LA Lakers star James.
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Hana Kuma means "flower bear" in Japanese, but in one of the most spoken languages in the world it has an altogether different meaning.
In Swahili, 'Hana kuma' takes on a much more explicit meaning - in that a woman has no vagina.
The phrase has triggered an avalanche of opposition in parts of Africa - particularly Kenya - with many users calling on Osaka to reconsider the name choice.
"If you keep the name #hanakuma, the name will override the news and the stories you wish to share," one Twitter user said.
Another used added: "East Africans cannot say this even in whispers".
The subject has dominated trending topics since Wednesday, with Citizen TV - Kenya's most watched news outlet - saying on Twitter that Kenyans were "losing their heads" over the phrase.
Swahili - a bantu language - is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa and is among the world's 10 most spoken languages, with more than 200 million speakers.
Osaka, now ranked 43 in the world, tweeted a veiled response to the controversy on Wednesday, saying: "Prayers for all my overthinkers. We be going through it."
prayers for all my overthinkers. We be going through it 😔
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 22, 2022
Osaka's tweet, although not specifically mentioning the Hana Kuma controversy specifically, was accompanied by an emoji of a pensive face.
Many interpreted it as a response to the Hana Kuma controversy.
Osaka said the media platform launched with James' SpringHill company aimed to produce content "focused on stories that are culturally specific but universal".
In 2021, the 24-year-old became the world's highest-earning sportswoman with a fortune of $57 million, according to Forbes.
If you keep the name '#hanakuma , the name will override the news and the stories you wish to share. The name of the brand is already news! I suggest a change and also, just being a bit respectful to global culture. It's not overthinking here, it's protecting a brand!!
— Esmael Omar (@EsmaelOmarN) June 22, 2022
Naomi Osaka out of Wimbledon with Achilles injury
Over the weekend, Osaka pulled out of Wimbledon for the second successive year, blaming an Achilles injury.
The 24-year-old had been on the entry list despite reservations after the WTA and ATP stripped Wimbledon of ranking points, even posting footage of her rehabilitation in recent weeks.
However Osaka left her legion of fans gutted after revealing she would not be playing Wimbledon again this year.
“My Achilles still isn’t right so I’ll see you next time", she wrote on Twitter in announcing the move.
It means Osaka will have to wait another year for a chance to add to her win tally at Wimbledon, where she has not tasted victory since 2018.
with AFP
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