Thula Sindi, Florence Masebe, Others Roast Naledi Pandor Over Comments On The Arts

South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation Naledi Pandor came under severe flak recently over her comments about the arts.

In a video which recently surfaced online, the minister could be seen discussing the state of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa with the Council of Foreign Relations. She harped on the need for greater skill development on the continent.

The part which got many people including celebs upset was when she noted, “Sorry to the arts people but I think science is very important — technology, engineering — because those are skills we desperately need.”

Many felt she was giving the middle finger to the arts or else downplaying its role in national development, and they slammed her for that.

The designer Thula Sindi lumped Pandor into the mould of other politicians in a tweet which you can check out below,

These comrades are all the same 🙄, she might have a different accent & subjectively better table manners but they are all the same. I'm not surprised. Just bored by the constant lack of vision and self-awareness https://t.co/1Mtp8Fqsnn

— Thula Sindi (@thulasindi) May 1, 2023

For her part, Florence Masebe described the minister’s statement as unfortunate. You can check out other comments below. The verdict is that the minister would not have been able to pass her message across without the arts.

Without art, the very same people who filmed her for whatever platform cease to exist. How will she spread her fake concern for South Africans?

Please I beg y'all, please let's vote 🥺 https://t.co/euKrGoihJr

— Mermaid🧜🏾 (@TheSoloWandera) May 1, 2023

Well, for those criticising her take on the arts, the minister has no words for them. She has not reacted to the furore her take has so far elicited.