Social media influencer Cyan Boujee has found herself at the centre of a storm after promoting a controversial job programme in Russia aimed at young women.
The initiative, which has been flagged by authorities for potential human trafficking and labour exploitation, has drawn intense criticism for its lack of verification and ethical oversight.
Influencer’s Flippant Response Raises Eyebrows
Cyan, 24, was part of a group of influencers who travelled to Russia to create content about the Alabuga Start programme.
Instead of offering a serious response to the backlash, she addressed the situation in a video on Instagram with a tone that many found dismissive.
Introducing herself as “NomaRussia,” a nod to anti-Apartheid activist NomaRussia Bonase, Cyan insisted that her promotion wasn’t financially motivated.
She added, however, that she had not yet been paid, since she had not fulfilled her posting obligations.
Critics argued that this explanation came off as tone-deaf given the serious allegations surrounding the programme.
Mocking Headlines and Public Outcry
The controversy didn’t stop there. Cyan followed up with another Instagram post, seemingly making light of her negative media attention.
Captioned “BBL to BBC,” she referenced both her cosmetic surgery and coverage in a BBC article about promoting questionable overseas jobs.
The social media backlash escalated quickly.
Many South Africans reported her content for allegedly facilitating human exploitation, leading to the removal of Cyan and other influencers’ TikTok accounts for violating community guidelines.
Deflecting Accountability on Social Media
In a now-deleted Instagram Story, Cyan expressed frustration over her TikTok ban. She said:
“Justice for Cyan. Justice for everyone. We didn’t know. This is too much. South Africans are so negative.”
Her posts continued to include memes referencing the villainous TV character Nomarussia, played by actress Vatiswa Ndara in the telenovela Igazi, further fueling criticism that she was not taking the allegations seriously.
Public Debate Over Remorse
Cyan Boujee’s response has sparked debate about whether influencers fully grasp the consequences of promoting unverified programmes abroad.
Many are questioning if her tone-deaf humour and memes reflect a lack of genuine remorse for actions that could put vulnerable young women at risk.
Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on Cyan Boujee’s actions and the wider responsibility of influencers in promoting international opportunities responsibly.
