MSG Afrika Group chairman Given Mkhari's interview with billionaire Johann Rupert has caused a storm on social media with users not only condemning Rupert for his display of what many labelled "Afrikaner privilege", but also slamming Mkhari for giving the businessman a platform to air his opinions.
Rupert is the chairman of Swiss-based luxury-goods company Richemont as well as of South Africa-based Remgro. On Tuesday he spoke to Mkhari in a rare interview on PowerFM's "Chairman's Conversation" show.
During the interview, Rupert made a number of highly controversial comments while Mkhari tried in vain to point out that some of the things Rupert was saying were unacceptable. Mkhari
Here are some of the comments from Twitter:
#GivenMakhari was fawning & weak & allowed #JohannRupert to get away with appalling racist arrogance. Johann is an arrogant, racist white Afrikaner. He treated Given with disdain. Not sure Given deserve better. But black South Africa does not deserve Johann Rupert's arrogance! pic.twitter.com/guKSybLJXh
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) December 5, 2018
Am I the only one feeling a tinge of insult in the way Rupert is engaging with Mkhari? @Powerfm987 #RupertOnPOWER
— Iman Rappetti (@imanrappetti) December 4, 2018
Rupert refers to 'blacks'...Mkhari corrects him saying it's 'black people'...Rupert says 'sorry, you told me you'd correct me'. @Powerfm987 #RupertOnPOWER
— Iman Rappetti (@imanrappetti) December 4, 2018
#ChairmansConversation #JohannRupert @MkhariGiven should painfully learn to delegate stress. He is doing disservice to himself @Powerfm987
— Bra Bonny (@LebonaMoleli) December 5, 2018
This entire thing should've been hosted by this here man👏🏽 We thank him for saying what Given Mkhari has successfully FAILED to say! Johann Rupert is a dirty mirror of dinner table conversation. SO telling. Would be funny if it wasn't tragic #RupertOnPOWER pic.twitter.com/VlFddMp1u9
— Queen Aminatu. (@Zubeida_T) December 4, 2018
To see Given Mkhari literally beg Johann Rupert to commit to a network seminar of sorts to a visibly uninterested Rupert tore me. The desperation...😢😢 #RupertOnPOWER #ChairmansConversation
— Moiloa_TheGreat (@KaraboMoiloa) December 4, 2018
Who?
I mean WHO is the genius that told Johan that his tribalist detritus is funny?
... and @MkhariGiven how can you let this man disrespect you like in your OWN HOUSE? I’m bitterly disappointed. #RupertOnPOWER
— Vusi Thembekwayo (@VusiThembekwayo) December 4, 2018
#RupertOnPOWER Given is oppressed. Rupert came prepared to remind us all to stay in our lanes as black people.
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 4, 2018
The arrogance Johann Rupert displayed when answering Given Mkhari! We need to fast track the expropriation of land without compensation process. We can’t continue being disrespected like this. #RupertOnPOWER #ChairmansConversation
— Man's Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) December 4, 2018
Now read some more comments about Rupert:
The funniest and most tragic thing about this individual is that he genuinely believe that he made it to where he is by his own wits,
only if he would realize how much Apartheid earmarked his family for largesse and billions in patronage. #RupertOnPOWER
— Lukhanyo Vangqa (@LukhanyoV) December 4, 2018
Just spent two hours watching Johan Rupert on PowerFM. This appearance has just done more damage than anything he could dream of. Whether you agree with him or not this interview has damaged his company’s chances of rolling out fibre to townships.. a real prize. #RupertOnPOWER
— Tom London (@tomlondon369) December 4, 2018
This interview confirmed one thing “Black man your on your own and there is no help from the beneficiaries of Apartheid Government to transform.
The interview also confirmed white supremacy and entitlement to the ownership of the means of production. #RupertOnPOWER @Lesufi pic.twitter.com/K5o14QzbyC
— @mjbiko (@mjbiko1) December 4, 2018