Minister Nathi Mthwethwa Issues An Apology For His Offensive Tweet

Minister Nathi Mthwethwa Issues An Apology For His Offensive Tweet. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, is taking back his statement regarding the South African theatre. In a since deleted tweet, the Minister said that the South African theatre is alive and well.

He mentioned a number of performing arts institution saying they offering an array of indigenous drama as dance among other things. The reality of the matter is that many theatre homes had to shut down when lockdown level 3 restrictions were implemented. This resulted in lack of earnings for many actors, producers, administrators, musicians and workers members.

The tweet was not received well, by arts organizations and individuals who make a living within the theatre sector. A few weeks ago, there were a series of tweets, where Minister Mthethwa was asked to resign from his duties by the 31st of January 2021. Theatre-makers and practitioners came together calling for Mthethwa’s resignation using theatre director Warren Nebe’s Twitter account.

Spokesperson for the Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture, Masechaba Ndlovu, has released a statement in which the Minister apologizes for his offensive tweet. He feels bad for his tweet, more so looking at the fact that the pandemic hasn’t bee kind to the arts industry as a whole. Check out his apology letter below;