Makhosi Khoza apologises after coming for Mmusi Maimane's 'blackness'
Former ANC MP Makhosi Khoza has apologised after tweeting that DA leader Mmusi Maimane was "trying hard to be black" by drinking umqombothi - a fermented beer.
Khoza responded to a tweet posted by Maimane on November 3 which shows him drinking umqombothi after lobola negotiations. She said he was "trying hard to be black."
Oh! Poor Mmusi trying hard to be ‘black’. Maimane blackness pursuit is foreign to me.Umuqombothi is definitely not in my definition. Mine features one of the earliest Ethiopian philosophers, Zera Yacob & Amilcar Cabral, a deep thinker living ahead of his time.
— Dr Makhosi Khoza (@Dr_MakhosiKhoza) November 3, 2018
In her subsequent apology, Khoza said she was basing her comments on the Native Beer Act of 1908, which generated huge revenues for municipalities.
Subsequent to my tweet yesterday about Mmusi Maimane, I understand why my comment was seen as a personal attack on his person. This was not my intention and accordingly, I apologise to Mmusi for this. Read Native Beer Act 1908 & OUTA statement
— Dr Makhosi Khoza (@Dr_MakhosiKhoza) November 5, 2018
She is also the executive director of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). A statement was issued on Monday by OUTA where it stated it did not condone personal attacks.
Maimane responded to Khoza's comment by saying that he was not "pursuing blackness" or "being African."
Here is the thing, I’m not pursuing blackness, I just am. I’m not pursuing being AFRICAN, I just am. If you are still pursuing, perhaps you can tell us, what you are now? The effort to subjectively determine what it is to be black, is the very tool those who oppress, use.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) November 4, 2018
In her apology to Maimane, Khoza said that her tweets could be taken out of context.
Upon reflection I realize that Twitter is inappropriate to raise issues of concern & could result in one being quoted out of context. I have subsequently written a piece on the history of umuqombothi which is available on my Facebook wall for anyone who is interested.
— Dr Makhosi Khoza (@Dr_MakhosiKhoza) November 5, 2018
Her remarks sparked outrage on Twitter with some condemning Khoza's actions
I actually found Makhosi Khoza comment on Mmusi Maimane drinking traditional beer unsavoury and beneath her stature of such an educated person. Was truly unfortunate if not embarrassing
— Sure Kamhunga (@sure_kamhunga) November 5, 2018
The point is YOU reduced umqobhothi to being “Black African”, YOU said Mmusi was using it to prove he is blackness. No one else said it. Is everything OK, Sisi? pic.twitter.com/VGOs8xztlD
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) November 4, 2018
It had to take Mmusi's tweet to lead you on to an epiphany? @Dr_MakhosiKhoza you should actually be ashamed of yourself. All Mmusi did was enjoy native beer as part of a lobola delegation. You had no right to insult him by saying he was "trying to be black." It's filthy & wrong!
— Neo 🇿🇦 (@realNeoM) November 6, 2018
Makhosi Khoza and Mmusi Maimane are debating what ot means to be an African,South Africa is alive with possibilities pic.twitter.com/PRMO72fKEj
— Khutšo ® 🇿🇦 (@khutso) November 5, 2018
An apology to @MmusiMaimane would be appreciated. You accused a black man of trying to be black, really? You of all people?
— Ngwato M. Thobejane (@TsipaA) November 5, 2018