Johannesburg – A Boxing Day flight from Durban to Cape Town descended into chaos last year when self confessed 'ANC B!tch' Nobuntu "Nobs" Mkhize, then a brand manager at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), found herself at the centre of a racially charged altercation that has since spiralled into a legal quagmire. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, has resulted in Mkhize's dismissal, a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation, and pending court action.
The drama unfolded on December 26th when, according to Mkhize, a dispute arose over her choice of wine. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Mkhize claimed she requested a lighter wine than the Merlot offered by the flight attendant. She alleges the attendant insisted she take the Merlot, refusing to provide a menu or offer alternative options.
Mkhize has vehemently denied being intoxicated during the incident, admitting to having consumed "one or two drinks" in the airport Slow Lounge before boarding, but insisting she was "sober as a judge". She described her reaction as an "out-of-body experience," claiming she entered "animal mode" as the situation spiralled out of control.
The fallout from the incident has been swift and severe. FlySafair condemned Mkhize's behaviour, emphasising that cabin crew are licensed safety officers and that interfering with their duties is a criminal offence. The airline promptly placed Mkhize on their no-fly list, effectively banning her from future flights.
However, the most damaging consequence has been Mkhize's dismissal from her position at the SABC. She contends that her termination occurred without a proper investigation and violated labour laws, announcing plans to challenge the dismissal in court. "They have fired me without an investigation or calling me in to state my case. How dare they do something so unethical and against the labour relations law? Their actions are appalling. They call themselves impartial, but they fuelled the situation," Mkhize charged.
The public broadcaster, however, disputes Mkhize's account. Mmoni Ngubane of the SABC responded, "The SABC has noted the interview aired by Newzroom Afrika featuring Ms Nobuntu Mkhize. We wish to clarify that the corporation conducted a formal disciplinary hearing, presided over by an independent chairperson, with Ms Mkhize in attendance and legally represented. The outcome of this process was officially communicated to her. As a matter of principle, the SABC does not publicly disclose details of internal disciplinary proceedings."
These comments prompted the SAHRC to launch an investigation into alleged racist remarks made during the altercation. Political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Patriotic Alliance, also took action, with the DA filing a crimen injuria and assault case against Mkhize, and the Patriotic Alliance lodging a complaint with the SAHRC.
Mkhize has since apologised for her remarks towards people of colour, stating that she was not raised with such views and expressing regret for any offense caused. "I would like to apologise to the coloured community. That's not who I am. I wasn't raised that way. I don't believe in what I said. I sincerely apologise for whatever was said … I have coloured friends, I'm not racist," she said.
However, in the same interview, Mkhize sparked further controversy by suggesting that her comments could not be considered racist "because we fall under the same group". "I don't think our Constitution can actually identify that as racism," she stated, arguing that due to the Segregation Act and apartheid, "when you talk of black people isn't it that Indians, coloured, Chinese and black people fall into the same group? So how then does it become racist?" She would concede, only, that her comments may have been "classist".
Mkhize also revealed that she has served FlySafair and the SAPS with court summons for how they handled the situation. "We served them letters of demand. They strangled me and put cable ties on me. How was I a danger? They pinned me against the window until I saw the clouds," she claimed.
