Somizi Mhlongo recently took to social media to lighten the mood following the recent disturbing incident on a FlySafair flight. Picture: Somizi Mhlongo/ Instagram
South African media personality Somizi Mhlongo took to social media to lighten the mood following the recent viral incident on a FlySafair flight.
The incident, which has stirred significant debate online, involved a woman making a scene aboard the aircraft while reportedly hurling racist remarks at cabin crew members.
The woman at the centre of the controversy has been identified as Nobuntu Mkhize, a staff member at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Eyewitness accounts and videos that quickly went viral depict Mkhize in a heated exchange with flight attendants. The altercation escalated over her appeal for additional alcohol, leading to her allegedly threatening the crew with job losses.
As clips of this unsettling encounter made their rounds on social media, many viewers were left appalled by Mkhize’s behaviour. In one particularly jarring segment of the footage, Mkhize can be heard using racial slurs while physically confronting the crew.
Amid the controversy, Mhlongo engaged his followers on social media, playfully projecting himself into the drama.
In the clip, he said: “I’m in a FlySafair flight right now from Cape Town to Gqeberha for the Ebubeleni Festival but I’m yearning to top that video of FlySafair and cause drama so they can handcuff me, and when I get out I shout viva.
“I want to cause drama. And since they have removed the steps, I want to tell them to bring them back so I can jump out.”
A passenger on FlySAFair was allegedly intoxicated on a flight and started a fight after they refused her more alcohol.
— Sanna (@LesNew5) December 27, 2024
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The comment section was filled with laughter with many others even suggesting ideas on what he could do to cause the drama.
“I think you should ask for GH Mumm, if they don’t have one, cause a scene and ask them if they know who your parents are,” joked one responder.
Another user wrote: “It won’t be funny cause you are not wearing a wig (laughing face emoji).”
A third commented: ”Do it, what’s the worst that could happen?”
As a result of this incident, FlySafair has taken a decisive step, confirming that Mkhize will be barred from flying with the airline in the future.
Responding to a media query put forward by IOL, Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s chief marketing officer, commented on the matter: “This passenger will be placed on our no-fly list and will not be welcome on future FlySafair flights.”
He further emphasised the airline's commitment to maintaining the safety of its passengers and crew, denouncing any behaviour that threatens this primary duty as "a criminal offence".