We live in an instantaneous world of scrutiny. Whether one is a corporate worker, politician, journalist or diplomat, one needs to keep oneself in check. Any moment of indiscretion, an inflammatory remark or public outburst does not exist in isolation but can trigger damage.
By default, public figures are ambassadors of the institutions they work for. It has been months since Nobuntu Mkhize, now a former SABC employee, made racially insensitive remarks about the coloured community aboard a FlySafair flight. Her divisive comments led to heavy and widespread backlash, the South African Human Rights Commission instituted an investigation, and the public broadcaster fired her and distanced itself from her.
She finally apologised. However, in the same breath, she positioned herself as a victim but also absolved herself from the perception that she harbours a classist and racist outlook towards coloured people.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, she said: “That’s not who I am. I wasn’t raised that way. I have coloured friends, I’m not racist.” She said she was taking legal steps against FlySafair and the SABC over how they handled the situation.
However, the principle is simple: being a representative comes with responsibility. Your frustrations, lapse in judgment, overindulgence and prejudices should not overrule professionalism and ethics. This is important in any career field, especially in environments that contribute to matters of national interest.
As an example, the country’s diplomatic relations with the US are worsening after Ebrahim Rasool, now South Africa's former ambassador to the US, made comments that even the country cannot rally behind or defend.
The case of the ambassador is a stark reminder that diplomacy is sensitive and requires a balanced strategy and not emotions
This after he accused US President Donald Trump of running a “white supremacist movement”.
During a foreign policy seminar, he is quoted saying: “The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the US, the Maga movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the US in which the voting electorate is projected to become 48% white.”
The case of the ambassador is a stark reminder that diplomacy is sensitive and requires a balanced strategy and not emotions. His bottom line was to navigate the political drama with tact and professionalism guided by the reality that he is a representative of an entire nation, not just an individual.
The violation of ethical standards also demonstrates that some blunders, regardless of one’s position or influence, cannot be excused.
The lesson is: upholding professional standards whether one is on duty or not is of great importance. Words have consequences and restraint and diplomacy are non-negotiable.
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