Minister Nathi Mthethwa Reveals Natasha Thahane‘s Government Funding Request Was Made Directly To Him. A few weeks ago actress Natasha Thahane was the topic of discussion on social media for all the wrong reasons. This after revealing during an interview with Mac on his podcast that she allegedly received R1 million funding from the government to pursue her studies at the New York Film Academy.
Thahane, who is Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s grandchild, came under when she revealed she “made a call” to former speaker of parliament and the ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete to help get the funds.
“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.
After social media users accused Natasha and the government of using their affiliates to access and abuse state funds, she then came out saying she had no personal relationship with Mbete and was only advised by her to explore different options including the department of sports, arts and culture.
“She advised me to explore the department of sports, arts and culture because they have funding opportunities. That was my first conversation and last conversation with her,” she said.
Sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa has now responded to the outcry in a written reply to EFF MP Khanya Ceza, who demanded to know details of the funding and Mbete’s involvement. Mthethwa revealed that actress Natasha Thahane’s request for funds to study in the US was made directly to him and was not aware of Mbete’s role in the plea.
He did however confirm the funds were for Thahane’s tuition fees at the prestigious academy and the terms for her agreement with the department was for her to complete her studies. The funding was reportedly approved by the deputy director-general for Institutional Governance in 2017.
“What we know is that Ms Thahane made a request for financial support towards her studies at the New York Film Academy directly to me as the minister,” he said.
