Highway twerk or highway to trouble? Penny Ntuli addresses the viral backlash

Radio personality Penny Ntuli has spoken out after a video of her twerking on the side of a busy highway recently went viral and drew widespread criticism from both the public and road traffic authorities. 

The clip, which she posted on Facebook, showed her dancing with a friend who was holding alcohol as trucks and cars passed by.

Ntuli captioned the post: “In whatever happens empilwen (in life), please remember you’re still young, stop worrying about everything 🌸✨🚀”.

The video quickly spread across other social media platforms such as X, drawing the attention of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). 

In a post, the RTMC has repeatedly warned against reckless behaviour on national roads, pointing out that stunts for social media content can have tragic consequences.

“The RTMC is astonished by this behaviour on our national roads. Pedestrians under the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) are prohibited on the freeways, and it’s illegal. Content creators should not risk their lives for ‘likes’. #NizofaNina.”

According to Arrive Alive, pedestrians are strictly prohibited from walking, standing, or stopping on freeways unless in emergencies such as vehicle breakdowns. 

They also add that road crash fatality data reveal that approximately 35-40% of road deaths in South Africa are pedestrian deaths.

Pedestrians also account for an estimated 35-40% of all road fatalities in South Africa, according to road crash data.

As the authority states, motorists who share the road with pedestrians and cyclists are obligated to always be vigilant and keep a lookout for pedestrians, as they are the most vulnerable.

Additionally, pedestrians also have the responsibility to comply with the road rules.

Responding to the backlash, Ntuli released a follow-up video explaining the circumstances. She said she had been on a long-distance drive, felt tired, and decided to stop for some fresh air before dancing with her friend. 

She clarified that she does not drink alcohol after people had commented that she did, stating that she does so due to her not being able to handle it.

Ntuli also dismissed claims that she was drunk, stating that she was fully aware of her surroundings during her actions.

She addressed suggestions from social media users that her actions could inspire a new dance challenge and strongly warned against it.

“Please don’t be on the freeway doing what I did because it’s not safe,” she said. The Jozi FM presenter admitted that the location was dangerous and apologised to those who pointed out the risk of distracting drivers and potentially causing an accident.

However, Ntuli maintained that she was not apologising for the video itself.

She explained that her response was meant to clear up misconceptions, adding that if she were to apologise for everything people criticised her for, she would never stop apologising.