Wema Sepetu responds to film board summons over dressing controversy
Tanzanian socialite and the former girlfriend of celebrated Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz, Wema Sepetu, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, presented herself before the country’s film board to face a panel following backlash surrounding a recent revealing outfit she had worn.
This comes after the board, which operates under the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports in the Swahili-speaking nation, issued her a strongly worded letter demanding her appearance for a formal interview following the widespread circulation of her outfit on social media platforms.
In the letter that was released on May 19, 2025, the board dismissed Sepetu’s chosen outfit as lacking modesty and moral decency, and stressed that it was compelled to summon her for a formal hearing, as it does not allow its artistes to carry themselves in such unbecoming ways.
“The Film Board is a legally instituted body mandated to build and safeguard the image of our nation while also nurturing the film industry within the country. In discharging these responsibilities, it cannot shy away from overseeing matters of discipline and ethical standards among members of our industry. The Board is disheartened by the indecent and inappropriate visuals shared across social media platforms depicting the actress Wema Sepetu dressed in unsuitable attire,” the board said in the statement.
The board also emphasised that Sepetu was expected to present herself on the specified date without fail, warning that further action could be taken against her should she not comply.
It added that it would continue to closely monitor and hold accountable Tanzanian artistes who fail to align with their dress code guidelines, stating that such regulatory actions were part of an earnest effort to ensure the Samia Suluhu-led nation upholds the dignity and values of its creative space.
“Therefore, the Board requests the actress in question (Wema) to appear without fail at the Film Board Offices located in Kivukoni – Dar es Salaam on Thursday, 22 May 2025, at 4:00 AM for the said interview. The Tanzania Film Board continues to urge film industry players to uphold our country’s cultural values through their creative expressions and personal conduct,” the statement further added.
Sepetu’s arrival in Kivukoni
Sepetu, who is also an established film actress, did not turn down the summons, and in a video posted by the film board on Facebook, she was seen arriving in a sleek motorcade of elegant black vehicles at their offices in Kivukoni, Dar es Salaam.
She was dressed in a sharp-looking pink trouser suit and was accompanied by a team of her managers who guided her on where to go after stepping out of her vehicle.
Outside the building, digital content creators and vloggers eagerly awaited her arrival and were seen dashing after her the moment she stepped out of the car, calling out to her to give a statement regarding the issue, although she remained silent.
Sepetu’s daring attire
The outfit at the centre of the storm is a black laced bodysuit which the actress had worn after being invited to attend a party.
The outfit, which was closely fitted to her silhouette, dramatically accentuated her curvy frame, and the film board stated that it could not overlook such a display, given the public standards they are committed to upholding.
However, Sepetu is no stranger to outfit-related backlash, as this is not the first time she has attracted attention for clothing choices that have stirred online reactions.
Earlier, on February 16, 2025, she came under fire from social media users after making an appearance at the wedding of fellow Tanzanian socialite Hamisa Mobetto, who was marrying footballer Aziz Ki, dressed in a radiant white gown embellished with shimmering pearls that closely resembled that of the bride.
Online users were quick to question why she would choose such an outfit when it is widely understood that only the bride is traditionally permitted to wear white, unless specific permission has been granted.
Social media platforms lit up with heated comments about the matter, with some accusing her of trying to outshine the bride, while others simply claimed that she has an unshakeable obsession with always making a grand and glamorous entrance.
