Natasha Thahane is a model, actress, and media personality from South Africa. She’s most recognized for her appearances in the TV shows Blood & Water, Skeem Saam, The Queen, and It’s OK We’re Family.

After appearing on MacG’s Podcast & Chill, actress Natasha Thahane topped the Twitter trends after revealing that she received cash from the government after reaching out to politician Baleka Mbete.

 

 

 

Natasha Tutu, Desmond Tutu’s granddaughter, told MacG that when she traveled to study in the United States in 2017, she needed financial assistance to pay for her education at the New York Film Academy.

She went on to say that she then “called” Baleka and asked her to help her get the money she needed to study. Baleka is said to have then contacted the department of arts to secure the funding for Natasha’s studies.

At the time, Baleka was the speaker of parliament and the ANC chairperson.

“I asked Mam’ Baleka (Mbete) and was like, ‘Mama, I need to go back to school. I’ve been accepted… I’m not sure what I’m going to do, so can I get some money? ‘Please make something happen for me.’ She was able to contact (the department of) Arts and Culture, and they were able to assist me,” she added on the show.

People have been saying nasty things about her since then, claiming she misappropriated the funds and that Thuso Mbedu is doing much better than her overseas.

South African actress Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu For her part in the drama series Is’Thunzi, she was nominated for an International Emmy. She was named to Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list in 2018. She starred in The Underground Railroad, an Amazon Video limited series, in 2021.

Some were quick to criticize Natasha after seeing a video of Thuso Mbedu training for her future endeavor.