Ngizwe Mchunu, a former Ukhozi FM radio personality and known traditionalist, has once again landed himself in controversy, this time due to an incident on a FlySafair flight. Mchunu, along with a group of supporters, created a disturbance on a flight from Cape Town to Durban, which has now led to his ban from flying with the airline.
The commotion began as Mchunu and his group boarded the plane, loudly chanting Zulu traditional songs. The chanting, which continued throughout the flight, drew mixed reactions from other passengers. While some passengers appeared uncomfortable, others were indifferent.
In a video shared on social media platform X by @Mlimo_Insider, Mchunu can be heard proclaiming, “This is King Shaka International Airport and the Zulu culture must be respected.” Mchunu’s insistence on cultural recognition seemed to intensify when flight attendants politely requested the group to quiet down as the plane prepared to land. However, this request was ignored by Mchunu, who defended his actions as an expression of cultural pride and celebration.
“We were happy because we had just had a wonderful and successful festival in Cape Town. We had to acknowledge King Shaka as our ancestor because the airport is also named after him,” Mchunu explained in an interview with ZiMoja. He further claimed that there was racial discrimination involved, stating that “white rugby players were singing mid-air, but no one complained. Do you see racism still exists?”
Mchunu’s behavior has sparked a heated debate online. Some social media users praised him for upholding his cultural values, while others criticized his actions, suggesting they cast a negative light on the Zulu community. One user on X remarked, “Zulu culture is centered around respect! We can’t accept such behavior!” Another commented, “He is now dragging our name down as Zulu people… this is not our image.”
The situation escalated when the plane landed at King Shaka International Airport. Mchunu was heard instructing passengers to bow upon arrival, shouting “Bayede,” to which his supporters responded with “Wena we Ndlovu.” As the disruption continued, police were reportedly called to intervene. According to Mchunu, they were detained on the tarmac for an hour while other passengers disembarked.
“We sat on the plane for one hour waiting for the police while other passengers left,” Mchunu said. He also mentioned that they were eventually allowed to leave as the police found no grounds to charge them. “We were just singing. There was no drama. I don’t know why they made such a big fuss. I was told that they’ve banned me from flying with them. But who cares?” he added defiantly.
FlySafair confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the behavior of certain passengers on flight FA169 violated aviation safety protocols, including adherence to safety belt signs. Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s marketing officer, stated, “Our safety and security team is finalizing its review of the incident. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with our procedures, which may include barring the individuals involved from future FlySafair flights.”
Mchunu’s actions have been met with widespread criticism, with many labeling them as disruptive and disrespectful. This incident is not the first time Mchunu has been at the center of controversy; it reflects his tendency to challenge norms and disregard established regulations.
This episode has reignited discussions about respect for cultural expression, especially in shared spaces such as public transport. Whether Mchunu’s actions were an assertion of cultural identity or a disruptive act, it has undoubtedly sparked debate on where the line should be drawn between cultural celebration and public disturbance.
