MTV Base TV host and daughter of renowned radio personality Azania Mosaka, Shamiso Mosaka found herself at the centre of a controversy that quickly went viral on social media.
The star, who was on a flight with Cemair, took to her Instagram page to document her ordeal as she was forcefully removed from the plane.
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According to Shamiso’s account, the incident started when she had a dispute with a flight attendant who took offence to her use of the phrase “WTF” during a phone conversation.
This seemingly innocuous exchange escalated quickly, with the airline personnel and the South African Police Service (SAPS) getting involved. Shamiso’s live videos of the encounter spread like wildfire across social media, with many netizens expressing their anger and disbelief at how she was treated.
Shamiso being discriminated by a flight attendant because she said “wtf” on the phone.
Passengers defending her, while cops and airline personnel are asking her to leave the flight. #Bbmzanzi Nozipho #TrackingThaboBester SAFA #Nandipha Alstro Nunurai pic.twitter.com/11amcOkx6p
— Izidabazabantu (@izidabazabantu) March 17, 2024
Shamiso is being thrown out the plane by SAPS. WHILE THE AIRLINE IS AT FAULT. #BBMzansi #Bbmzanzi #TrackingThaboBester SAFA Nandipha SAFA pic.twitter.com/ichBasTBiV
— Izidabazabantu (@izidabazabantu) March 17, 2024
Discrimination or Misunderstanding?
While Shamiso’s experience on the flight has sparked outrage, there are differing opinions on whether it was a case of discrimination or a misunderstanding.
Some social media users argued that using offensive language on a flight is not acceptable, regardless of the context. They advised travellers to educate themselves on the rules and regulations of air travel to avoid similar incidents.
Social media user @dineo_thulii offered some advice to fellow travellers, urging them to refrain from using profanity during flights. She emphasized that certain words, including the infamous “f-word,” are strictly prohibited on airplanes.
“If you’re a traveller, please educate yourself on that,” she posted.
However, others came to Shamiso’s defense, claiming that the flight attendant had no right to interfere in her private conversation. They questioned the level of professionalism displayed by the airline staff and expressed solidarity with Shamiso for being unfairly targeted.
Cemair Faces Backlash
Cemair, the airline involved in the incident, faced severe backlash from the public. South Africans took to social media to express their disappointment and anger towards the airline, accusing them of mistreating Shamiso and mishandling the situation.
One social media user, Muzi, shared his own experience on the flight, stating that Shamiso never caused any disruption to fellow passengers. He criticised the airline staff for their behaviour and expressed his disbelief at how they treated paying customers.
Another user, Jenna, expressed her shock at the incident, highlighting the invasion of privacy by the flight attendant. She questioned why the airline staff felt the need to intervene in a private phone conversation and suggested that they had overstepped their boundaries.
Support for Shamiso poured in from all corners of social media, with users offering to be witnesses and vowing to stand up against such mistreatment. The incident has sparked a larger conversation about the conduct of airline staff and the rights of passengers.
Surgezirc SA reached out to both Shamiso and Cemair for comment, but neither party was available to provide a statement at the time of publishing.
Lessons Learned
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder for both travellers and airlines to be mindful of their actions and responsibilities. Passengers should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of air travel to avoid any misunderstandings, while airline staff should strive to maintain professionalism and handle conflicts with tact and sensitivity.
As for Shamiso Mosaka, she has become a symbol of resilience and the fight against discrimination. Her courage in sharing her experience has opened up a dialogue about the treatment of passengers and the need for accountability within the airline industry.
Let us hope that this incident leads to positive change and a greater emphasis on respect and understanding in the skies.
