Cyan Boujee Responds as Alabuga Start Row Escalates

The storm of controversy surrounding influencer Cyan Boujee and the contentious Alabuga Start programme shows no sign of calming.

Boujee – whose real name is Honor Zuma – recently addressed the backlash in a video shared via Instagram after promoting the Russian initiative.

In the clip, she admitted the episode was a “learning curve” and stressed: “Human trafficking is a serious matter and I do not stand with that … it wasn’t for money because I haven’t been paid yet.”

Her explanation, however, has been met with scepticism; critics suggest she should have issued a formal statement instead.

TikTok moved swiftly after the initial video was shared, with users reporting influencers linked to Alabuga Start. Searches for Boujee and fellow content creator Siyamthanda Anita no longer display links to their accounts.

The social media platform revealed that over 1.1 million videos were removed in South Africa in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting its tough stance on harmful content and dedication to user safety.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in South Africa has rejected claims of trafficking, insisting allegations are based on hearsay from “biased outlets” and not supported by evidence.

With petitions circulating and government officials urging young people to be cautious, the controversy has placed influencer accountability and online safety firmly in the spotlight.

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