Share

WATCH: Charcoal challenge takes Facebook by storm. But is it racist?

accreditation
A bizarre new social media challenge that sees participants turning their heads black by inverting a bag of charcoal over their heads, has raised eyebrows online. 
A bizarre new social media challenge that sees participants turning their heads black by inverting a bag of charcoal over their heads, has raised eyebrows online. 
George Smit

A bizarre new social media challenge, which entails participants inverting bags of charcoal over their heads, is raising eyebrows online.

No fewer than 15 videos have been uploaded to Facebook since December 31, 2018. Each video shows shirtless men (and in one instance, a fully clothed woman) inverting near-empty bags of coal over their heads, shaking about and turning their faces and heads inky black.

Most videos are set to the soundtrack of Robbie Wessel's "Bobjan" – a song about a man who believes himself to be a baboon. Some have dubbed it "The Bobjan Challenge".

Online opinions about the challenge were split.

"These okes know exactly what they're doing and their ill intentions behind it #blackface," said Facebook user Ziyaad Agherdien.

Meanwhile Tshepo Gatsheni said: "Some snowflake is gonna spin this into a black face thing..."

"Looks to me like these guys had to (SIC) much Branas (brandy) and had a little innocent fun which is quickly turning into something it wasn't intended. Laugh a little!" Lünchen Luchey Cupido commented.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 500 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 708 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.90
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.86
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.36
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent-ruolie
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE