Cape Town – South African politician Mmusi Maimane has reportedly called on the Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa to give clarity after actress Natasha Thahane revealed that she received more than R1 million from his department to fund her studies abroad.
Speaking to Mac G on his podcast, MacG and chill, Thahane revealed that she received the funding after reaching out to politician Baleka Mbete.
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“I needed funding, I called Gcinwa and Russells, they helped me and then I went to Mam’ Baleka, she was still the chairperson of parliament then. I’m like Mama I need to go and study… I think the entire year was a million-plus but there’s was still food and all of these things. I was like mama I need to go back to school I’ve been accepted, I didn’t sign my second year at the Queen, so I don’t know how I’m gonna do, can I please have funds, she (Mbethe) managed to speak to Arts and Culture and then they gave me funding but I only asked for funding for one semester because I was scared to ask for the whole year,” said Natasha on Mac’G’s podcast.
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Thahane’s statement provoked a lot of reactions on social media, with some saying that she was flaunting her privilege.
Politicians also joined in the conversation.
“I hope you can have a conversation with the nation about this academic funding. How much it was, how it was processed and your reflections on your personal use of networks to access state support. I think you do owe the public that much,” Times Live quoted Maimane as saying.
On her part, Natasha said she emailed the department of arts and culture but to no avail, hence she decided to reach out to Mbethe.
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The star shared screenshots of the emails she sent to various places asking for funding, including the Barack Obama Foundation.
“I applied for funding, no one responded. Until the school assisted me get in contact with the department. I even emailed Barack Obama’s Foundation hoping I’d get assistance. #Natasha,” Natasha wrote in a tweet.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
