Destiny magazine is the latest publication to come under fire.
The mag, which is known for putting powerful and influential women on the cover, has received some backlash over its latest issue.
This comes after Wits University SRC President, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, was revealed as the December cover star.
The student played a huge role in the recent #FeesMustFall protests.
After the cover was revealed on Sunday, people took to social media to express their thoughts. Some don’t agree with the decision to put Nompendulo on the cover.
Definitely have reservations about Destiny using just her on the magazine cover when there were many more instrumental women in the movement
— feminist, with a man (@Mlenzana02) November 15, 2015
destiny magazine just puts on the cover whoever is trending or flavour of the month?
— NELSON MANDELA DOC (@MANDELADOC) November 15, 2015
That December cover of Destiny Women magazine is RACIST… Why that white woman(Sheera) sp is not on that cover with Nompendulo?
— Outside Khaka (@Siya_Lota) November 15, 2015
Headgear aside, I feel that Destiny Magazine covering Nompendulo as a focal point of the #FeesMustFall movement is a dangerous angle.
— Msomi (@Msomifaya) November 15, 2015
The media is trying to birth a nu-age Mandela. Nompendulo isn’t/wasn’t the focal point of #FeesMustFall, STUDENTS were.
— Thami Hakala (@thami_hakala) November 15, 2015
The Destiny magazine cover is beautiful! Would’ve been lit lit lit if they had Shaeera as well. I agree.
— Spongy (@Songezile) November 15, 2015
While others do not see a problem with the decision.
It looks like Destiny Magazine put Nompendulo on their December cover. I can feel their profits already. I can feel my money leaving me.
— gorata (@gorahtah) November 15, 2015
Nompi looking like a bag of money on the December cover of Destiny Magazine. Damn. Congratulations to her
— PassionFruit (@Rethabile_GP) November 15, 2015
My crush on the cover of Destiny. I will buy Destiny magazine for the first time Monday.
— 7455Skomline.KwaSkom (@SiyaNyulu) November 15, 2015
Destiny used creative license on something that’s already a part of Nompendulo’s story. The headwrap is a part of her story , not Destiny’s.
— Abby’King (@Obakeng_N) November 15, 2015
The cover of Destiny will make me buy the next issue shame. Nompendulo on the cover is forward thinking from the editorial team
— Makhanyi (@Ndyondya) November 15, 2015
After people shared their opinions, Destiny also took to Twitter to explain why Nompendulo was put on the cover.
Hi all, at Ndalo Media we write about issues that concern all South Africans across all political spectrums.
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
This is why the Nov issue of @Destiny_Man had DA leader Mmusi Maimane.
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
3. In the Dec issue, we have Wits SRC leader Nompendulo Mkatshwa & we’ll continue to feature all leaders regardless of political affiliation
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
4. Although Nompendulo is affiliated to the ANC, the story is about free education, misogyny & political change
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
5. The story also recognises she’s a leader in a national student movement that involved people from various political parties
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
6. In terms of the ANC scarf, we did request she go with a more neutral one
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
7. But Nompendulo felt it was part of her image and how she had been captured throughout the #FeesMustFall protests – we agreed with that
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
8. As a publication, we recognise that we’ll sometimes get agreement on our cover stars, and sometimes we won’t.
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
9. But we’ll always portray a wide spectrum of beliefs. We look forward to further engagement after you have read the article. Thanks.
— DestinyConnect (@DestinyConnect) November 15, 2015
