The controversial rapper, poet and activist Akwasi is currently doing reasonably well in De Slimste Mens. On Monday evening he is already in his third episode and *spoiler alert* he is still going very well. This despite the great confusion that arises about ‘margarine’. He and viewers on social media appear to be a bit deaf. They do not understand Olga Commandeur well and think the question is about a gymnast. Wait, huh?
Akwasi in The Smartest Person
A number of well-known names are participating in the latest season of De Slimste Mens. Rapper, poet and activist Akwasi, among others, is attempting to become the smartest in 2024, and he is well on his way. His third Smartest Person episode is on Monday evening and he is certainly not doing too badly. He certainly scores points, although he does have some start-up problems in his third episode. After the first round he is not immediately ahead. That in itself is not a problem, because everything can still change. However, the second round of ‘open door’ does not go smoothly for him either. He chooses Olga Commandeur, but in retrospect that turns out not to be such a wise choice. The former presenter of Nederland in Beweging causes a major misunderstanding with the rapper.
“Marga Ringe(r)?”
In the episode, Akwasi competes against the Flemish presenter Evi Hanssen and photographer Jan Dirk van den Burg, who is currently in the top 5. But first it’s Akwasi’s turn and he is asked: “What do you know about margarine?” However, the question does not come across well to the recipient. “Marga Ringe(r) is a gymnast, Olympic Games athlete?” he responds immediately as soon as the time runs out. Wait, huh? Yep, apparently Olga doesn’t speak clearly, because he really hears ‘Marga Ringe(r)’ instead of ‘margarine’. And he is certainly not the only one, because viewers also hear the same thing on social media:
Haha, to be fair, I also understood ‘Marga Ringe’ (but understood that it was margarine) #the smartest person
— Tweettweettweet (@tweeteketje) January 8, 2024
I also understood Marga Ringe(r)! #akwasi #the smartest person #margarine
— PVPR / Pieter Valk (@PVPRPieter) January 8, 2024
I also understood Marga Ringer #margarine #the smartest person
— Suzanne🐱🇺🇦 (@Hairytortiecat) January 8, 2024
I must honestly admit that I also understood Marga Ringen. It was only when Akwasi’s answers didn’t make sense that I thought; Ohhh. She must have said margarine. #the smartest person
— Lou (@loulellie) January 9, 2024
Yes, sorry, but just like Akwasi, I also understood Olga Commandeur’s question as ‘what do you know about Marga Ringen?’. #the smartest person
— Lou (@loulellie) January 9, 2024
Smartest person of the day
When Akwasi’s turn is over, Dirk Jan surprisingly continues on the right path. He clearly understood Olga well, something that may surprise many viewers. Nevertheless, Akwasi ultimately becomes the ‘smartest person of the day’. So he still makes his final sprint and can go straight to his fourth episode. Dirk Jan later joins them.
There is a good chance that a lot of Smartest People viewers will be somewhat disappointed with the result. Many people would rather see Akwasi go. Since his participation in De Slimste Mens, a lot of racist reactions have flowed in via social media channel stopped using X, Akwasi reported on Tuesday morning in his last message on X. Still, the haters will have to put up with the rapper for a while. It’s not ready yet!
