Actress Natasha Thahane was the talk of the town this past weekend and not in a good way.
The star topped the trends list on social media after revealing information that did not sit right with a lot of people.
In her interview on “Podcast & Chill” with MacG, Natasha revealed that she received over R1 million in funds from the government after reaching out to politician Baleka Mbete.
Natasha, who is the granddaughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, told MacG that she had needed help to pay for her studies at the New York Film Academy in 2017.
According to the former Skeem Saam actress, she reached out to Baleka Mbete who was then speaker of parliament, and the ANC chairperson.
Baleka apparently reached out to the department of arts to arrange the money, in excess of R1 million, that went towards Natasha's studies.
“I asked Mam’ Baleka (Mbete) and was like, ‘Mama, I need to go back to school. I’ve been accepted... I don’t know what I’m going to do, can I have funds? Please arrange something for me.’
“She managed to speak to (the department) Arts and Culture and they were able to help me,” she said on the podcast.
Social media users were livid and vocal in their condemnation.
Watch below:
Yoh 🤭 | Natasha Thahane implicating Baleka Mbete and Department of Arts and Culture there by #macgpodcastandchill
While others complete application forms, Nathi Mthethwa department gave her money because she is a granddaughter of Desmond Tutu. 🚮 https://t.co/InXl7gygVb
While the public accused her of using her connections to get the funding, Natasha offered an explanation.
She took to Twitter to share a screenshot of emails she sent to the department that allegedly went unanswered.
“I applied for funding, no-one responded. Until the school assisted me get in contact with the department,” she wrote.
I applied for funding, no one responded. Until the school assisted me get in contact with the department.
— Natasha Thahane (@Natasha_Thahane) November 27, 2021
I even emailed Barack Obama’s Foundation hoping I’d get assistance. #Natasha pic.twitter.com/fqdZLIXlYm
See reactions below:
Guys government has got money you just need to be connected to get funding... But some black disadvantage youth must write 📝 memorandum when applying for nsfas and must attach a picture of a grave when both parents are no more... This girl got a million just for ACTING.
It is very sad that we applied for covid19 relief funds wave3 @SportArtsCultur @NathiMthethwaSA sent all required documents even banking details, but till now there's nothing🙄yet there are people who just make one phone call and get millions to study overseas wow! @GovernmentZA https://t.co/5aKAN0X5KC
— Majesty (@zinhle7505) November 27, 2021
I hate this country. Yho.🕴🏽💆🏽♀️😭 https://t.co/YFRVklXKGL
— ⁷Didi is in love with Min Yoongi ⁷ ₇ (@Zukos_Sidepiece) November 27, 2021
And she still has the audicity to brag about it
It’s her naivety & oblivion to the entitlement, privilege and corruption for me. It’s infuriating & exhausting. Just recently, hundreds of artists had to literally beg & protest for Min. Nathi to assist with COVID relief funds but Natasha calls and gets funded R1 mil? Come on!
— Rudzani Maivha (@RudzaniMaivha) November 27, 2021