By Sisanda Mgojo
There is an entertainment gadget that is captivating the nation. It is the karaoke microphone, now dubbed the new vuvuzela or iMic Yodumo.
This microphone was designed originally for singing, but in South Africa it has become a source of pulling off antics, making comical announcements in e-hailing transport and used to make viral TikTok videos and classroom props, to mention a few.
The wireless microphone, which is available in different colours, is Bluetooth-enabled, comes with eight buttons and can last between four to six hours.
Naledi Aphiwe Myongwane, an 18-year-old Grade 12 learner, singer and TikTok influencer from Durban, is one of the users of the microphone. Talking about how her tool of the trade, she said: “I was intrigued by the microphone making waves on social media. My friend brought it over the next day and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. I was just being silly, making noise and causing chaos.”
She also uses the microphone to destress.“When I use it, I even forget that I have Matric stress. I get to (forget about it) momentarily. I laugh whenever I use it because I get liberated and crazy about it.”
Noluthando Cotton, a 22-year-old student at Durban University of Technology (DUT), is another user of the magic mic: “I’m not a YouTuber, TikToker or anything else, but I like to use the mic. I remember feeling like a kid getting candy for being good when I went to Mr Price to buy the famous mic. That day, I felt like flying because I knew how I would use it at home to (tease) my family.
“Every day, I use the microphone to alert my younger sister to the arrival of breakfast or lunch and to inform my other siblings. I even like watching my mother get irritated by the weird sound it makes. It makes me happy because it allows me to explore my shy side.”
Sipho Mnguni, an enterprising Bolt driver, has found interesting use of the mic to boost his business. “At first, I bought it for my kids to sing at home, but one day I brought it to work, and it has changed everything. Now, my taxi is known as the singing cab. Passengers love it when I use the mic to tell jokes or announce our stops in a funny voice. It makes the daily commute much more enjoyable.”
