Self-confessed 'ANC b*tch' and SABC Manager Nobuntu Mkhize speaks out after her FlySafair drama videos went viral, reveals what really happened

A video of a heated altercation between a passenger and FlySafair cabin crew on a Boxing Day flight from Durban to Cape Town has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage and debate. At the centre of the controversy is Nobuntu "Nobs" Mkhize, a 43-year-old SABC brand manager, who has now given her account of the events that led to her arrest and subsequent court appearance.

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The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows Mkhize engaged in a furious confrontation with flight attendants, her behaviour escalating from verbal abuse to the point where she threw a can of Coke. Following the landing in Cape Town, Mkhize was arrested and charged under the Civil Aviation Act No. 13 of 2009 for disruptive and riotous behaviour on board an aircraft. She initially appeared in court on Friday, but the case was temporarily withdrawn pending further investigation and the addition of assault and crimen injuria charges.

Mkhize vehemently denies claims that she was intoxicated during the flight. In an interview with News24, she explained that she and her boyfriend had enjoyed a single whiskey at the airport lounge before boarding, insisting she was "sober as a judge" when the incident occurred.

The altercation, according to Mkhize, began when she requested a specific soft drink from the cabin crew. "She [the cabin crew member] asked us what we wanted to have, and that's when I asked what kind of cooldrinks they had. I asked if they had passionfruit lemonade. She replied, no. Then I asked if they had Grapetizer. That's when she got annoyed with me and responded in isiXhosa, saying 'uyadika' [you are annoying]," she recounted.

Mkhize claims the flight attendant's refusal to serve her sparked the argument. She further alleges that the crew member's colleague, who also attempted to intervene, failed to listen to her side of the story. Mkhize acknowledges raising her voice and using offensive language, but attributes this to feeling "traumatised and in defence mode" due to what she perceived as the crew's dismissive and discriminatory behaviour.

In one particularly inflammatory exchange captured on video, Mkhize is heard making derogatory remarks about the flight attendant's background and qualifications, even referencing her perceived racial bias.

"You're a coloured from Mitchells Plain, all these gold rings, but no degree. Right now, when we land, I'm going to take an Uber home. You don't even have a licence. You don't even have a car," she is heard saying.

Mkhize now expresses remorse for this outburst, stating, "If I was white, they would not have treated me the way they treated me. Although I do not condone it, I said some of the things I said because they were undermining me since I am black."

She also clarifies her reference to her late father, Khaba Mkhize, a highly respected journalist and anti-apartheid activist.

"I wanted them to rest assured that what they had done to me would be shared widely with the media," she explained. "I wanted to reiterate that they had violated so many laws by what they had done to me. I didn't even mention that I work for the SABC, but I said this would be on the news. I may have said other things which came out the wrong way, in a manner that I did not mean."

Following the incident, Mkhize was detained on board the aircraft until police arrived at Cape Town International Airport. She now intends to sue both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and FlySafair, claiming the crew provoked her and that the police acted improperly.

"I want to sue both the SAPS as well as the airline, finish and klaar," she declared. "If it means we meet in court, so be it because I would not have reached that level if they did not provoke me. They then claim that I was drunk. Did they see me drink on the plane? Because they didn't. Did they draw my blood to test?"

FlySafair, however, maintains that its crew acted appropriately, adhering to standard operating procedures approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Spokesperson Kirby Gordon stated, "We applaud our teams for managing the situation in line with our standard operating procedures which are written and approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority." The airline has also permanently banned Mkhize from flying with them, a decision they stand by.

The incident has also drawn criticism from the African National Congress (ANC), despite Mkhize's attempts to invoke the party's name during the altercation. The ANC has launched its own investigation, stating that her behaviour was unacceptable regardless of her affiliation.

"The ANC will not allow its name to be dragged through the mud by individuals who fail to uphold the dignity and decorum expected of all South Africans, let alone members of our organisation," the party asserted in a statement.

The SABC also issued a statement distancing itself from Mkhize's actions, emphasising the editorial independence of its news division.

Who Is Nobuntu ‘Nobs’ Mkhize?

Nobuntu Mkhize, born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is a prominent figure in South African media. She attended St. John’s Diocesan School for Girls, achieving an IEB Matric Distinction. She furthered her education at the University of Cape Town, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Media, and Marketing (2000–2002), and later obtained a Diploma in Copywriting and Brand Management from the AAA School of Advertising (2004–2005). Currently, she works as a brand manager for the SABC.

Mkhize's lineage adds another layer to the story. She is the daughter of the late Khaba Mkhize, a highly respected journalist and liberation activist. Post-humously recognised by the South African Presidency for his "excellent contribution to the field of journalism and the liberation struggle," Khaba Mkhize was known for his fearless reporting during the apartheid era and the turbulent political climate of KwaZulu-Natal.

His career included significant roles at the Echo newspaper (1985–1991), the Natal Witness, and the SABC in KwaZulu-Natal. His legacy as a champion of justice and truth-teller undoubtedly casts a long shadow over his daughter's current predicament. The incident on the FlySafair flight, therefore, transcends a simple mid-air altercation; it involves a prominent figure with a significant family history, adding complexity to the already controversial situation.