An in-flight altercation over a glass of wine has left former SABC Brand Manager Nobuntu ‘Nobs’ Mkhize banned from FlySafair, facing legal action and unemployed.
On 26 December 2024, Mkhize was flying from Durban to Cape Town when a disagreement over the airline’s wine selection spiralled into a physical confrontation.
She requested a lighter wine than the Merlot offered, but according to her, the flight attendant insisted she take the available option. When she asked to see the menu, the situation escalated as the crew refused to serve her anything else.
Footage from the incident shows Mkhize throwing a can at a flight attendant before a scuffle broke out between her, the crew, and passengers who tried to restrain her.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, she described her reaction as an ‘out-of-body experience’ and said she entered ‘animal mode’ as tensions rose.
[NOT TO BE MISSED] Former SABC Brand manager, #NobuntuMkhize opens up for the first time after the circulation of viral videos of her physical confrontation and tirade taken on-board a FlySafair plane on 26 December 2024.
She talks about her dismissal from the SABC, her… pic.twitter.com/vSuv6URPz6
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 14, 2025
Mkhize admitted to having one or two drinks at the airport Slow Lounge before boarding but insisted she was not intoxicated at the time.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation, with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launching an investigation into alleged racist remarks made during the altercation.
Political parties also weighed in, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) filing a crimen injuria and assault case against Mkhize, while the Patriotic Alliance lodged a complaint with the SAHRC.
FlySafair swiftly condemned her actions, emphasising that cabin crew are licensed safety officers and that interfering with their duties is a criminal offense. The airline placed Mkhize on a no-fly list, barring her from future flights.
Her troubles worsened when the SABC dismissed her following the incident. Mkhize maintains that her firing was unfair, arguing that there was no proper investigation and that her labour rights were violated. She has vowed to challenge the decision in court.
Mkhize has since apologised for any offence caused by her remarks towards people of colour during the incident, stating that she was not raised with such views. Reflecting on the ordeal, she admitted, ‘I could have handled it better.’
However, as legal battles loom and public scrutiny lingers, the fallout from that December flight continues to shape her future.
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Picture: Nobuntu ‘Nobs’ Mkhize / Facebook
