Media personality falls victim to racial attack

What should have been a regular trip to the gym quickly turned into a day of horror for Metro FM PR manager and media personality Happy Ngidi when she became the victim of a racial attack that made national headlines.

“It was one of the worst days of my life,” Ngidi told the Northsider in an in-depth interview.

Pulling out of the driveway at Virgin Active in Constantia Kloof, Ngidi’s only aim was to get home, unaware the man waiting to pull into her parking wasn’t just another gym goer.

“I saw the man in my rear view mirror and noted a bit of impatience, but quickly brushed it off as Joburg road rage, shook my head and drove away.”

Just before exiting the shopping square where the gym is located, Ngidi noticed the same man pulling up next to her. “He violently jumped out of the car enraged by the fact that I had just shaken my head at him,” she said.

According to Ngidi, he then shouted, “You baboon, who do you think you are? You k*****, I will beat you up!”

Shocked and emotionally overwhelmed by the racial abuse Ngidi broke down in her car.

Refusing to be a victim Ngidi contacted the Honeydew SAPS who later confronted the man.

Ngidi is confident she has a case in court as “police experienced my attacker’s reaction first hand when they took his rather hostile statement. The gym is also in possession of video material where my attacker’s violent body language is quite visible.

“I wouldn’t risk my public image for sensation; I’m spending time and money on this case for the greater good of others.”

Les Aupiais spokesperson for Virgin Active SA said “We simply do not tolerate any form of racial abuse, prejudice or threats of physical violence in our clubs. Members who break our rules of conduct will find out very quickly they are no longer welcome at our health clubs. In the case involving Happy Ngidi, we were appalled at the verbal abuse she suffered and having witnessed the threat of physical violence against her, we acted swiftly.

“We also fully support Miss Ngidi’s involvement of the SAPS in the case. Within an hour of the initial incident, we suspended the offending member’s access to the club and within 24 hours, had issued him with a life ban. We want to provide members with a safe environment in which to train and no-one should have this right taken from them.”

The Honeydew SAPS confirmed that a case of crimen injuria has been opened and is currently under investigation by its detective unit.