Mihlali vs FlySafair: Here's what we know so far
Social media personality and make-up artist Mihlali Ndamase stands by her claims that she and her friends were subjected to racism and were called "animals" by FlySafair staff members for being "too loud".
Taking to Instagram to share their alleged encounter in a lengthy post, Ndamase said the airline needs to hire staff members who are "educated" and "trained".
"My friends and I were called animals by these people on @flysafairza because we were being too loud on a flight. I didn't know it was against the law to speak on a flight, I mean if you have a problem with hearing black people's voices buy a private jet."
In a statement released by the airline on Monday afternoon, the company said they were still in talks with Ndamase and would give no further comment until the matter had been resolved between both parties.
On racism, the company said although they are a "cohesive team" and have no tolerance of any form of discrimination. They are investigating the matter.
Both FlySafair and Mihlali have since dominated conversations on Twitter as people continue to weigh in, some in support of Ndamase and some of the airline.
One of the tweeps who claimed to have been on the same flight as Ndamase and her friends gave a different version than Ndamase's.
I was on this flight and what I saw was rather different from this account. I was not close enough to hear the racist comment but I witnessed the loud, rude and rowdeness conduct. #FlySafair
— Okoye Bhengu (@Rinyah) May 13, 2019
@mihlalii_n you broke my heart pic.twitter.com/n0sSFChcql
— Nomadelela (@NNomakhosi) May 14, 2019
Here are more reactions:
The day South Africans stop taking any incident and make it a racial issue is the day the rand will be stronger than the dollar. Trust me.#Flysafair #Mihlali pic.twitter.com/v1cKz9S5JM
— KAGISO (@sk_gee) May 12, 2019
#FlySafair so Y'ALL focusing on @mihlalii_n and crew for perhaps being drunk and being loud in the aircraft... drunk or not, loud or not, no one has the right to call me an Animal NEVER... Stop defending shit we all love @FlySafair for their reasonable prices but shit is shit.
— Alfred Pikolomzi Sakela👑 (@alfredsakela) May 14, 2019
Seems like White people are not allowed to reprimand black people, If so It’s called Racism 😒😪
— Stars24 (@stars24__) May 13, 2019
Lord look at ur kids
#Mihlali
To be honest, what #Mihlali has done about #FlySafair is disgusting and disappointing. Racism is a serious matter and to be used so that people can feel sorry for you is wrong. Gal wanted to take the nation's pity for a ride.sies!hope we are wrong!
— Zukiswa Williams (@ZukiswaWilliam) May 13, 2019