Shashi breaks down over Gaza comment
Model plans trip to Middle East
The Israeli-Palestine conflict has become a hot potato topic for local celebrities.
Model and TV personality Shashi Naidoo is counting her losses after her social media comments that Gaza was a “s**thole”.
Just in April, DJ Black Coffee burnt his fingers when he performed in Tel Aviv.
Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu, who is chairwoman of the ANC’s international relations committee, said the party would speak to creatives about Middle Eastern politics.
Her statement read in part: “In solidarity with the people of Palestine, we will continue highlighting [the] shortcomings wherever they rear their head with regard to the role of South Africans in undermining the cause of the emancipation of the people of Palestine.”
Yesterday, a teary Naidoo said she had “pretty much lost all” brand endorsements after she sparked outrage.
In a series of posts, she called Gaza a “s**thole” and was seemingly pro-Israel.
She also bashed Gaza for apparently not using aid and resources in helping its population but pursuing an “ambition to annihilate Israel”.
Naidoo later deleted the comments and apologised, claiming she had simply copied and pasted comments sent to her from a friend in an attempt to look smart.
Meanwhile, she has had to kiss goodbye brands such as Glampalm Africa, racing company Gold Circle and designer Adila Dhorat who have all publicly distanced themselves from the model.
“In terms of personal brand endorsements, yes, I have pretty much lost all my endorsements, but I think it was necessary and perhaps it will give me more time to focus on other things,” she told a media briefing yesterday.
She broke down when asked if she had forgiven herself for the comments, and said she was going to use her voice to learn more about conflict in the Middle East. She will be taking a trip to Gaza to “educate herself on issues in the area”, after a Palestinian solidarity group, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement offered her a trip to Gaza and learn about the situation.