{
  "id": 8945735,
  "title": "THE LOWLY NEWSPAPERMAN: Windbag Mbalula’s stupidity is emblematic of the ANC’s plunge into ignominy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/the-lowly-newspaperman-windbag-mbalulas-stupidity-is-emblematic-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T15:20:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-21-windbag-mbalulas-stupidity-is-emblematic-of-the-ancs-plunge-into-ignominy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a society plagued with many issues, the missteps of the African National Congress (ANC) appear particularly troubling. While the secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, may not be the most pressing concern, his actions underscore the party's decline. The ANC, once a symbol of liberation, now faces ridicule from both its supporters and detractors. This decline is starkly illustrated by a juxtaposition of two photographs: one of Nelson Mandela and other liberation figures in 1990, and another of Mbalula today. The stark contrast reveals a significant loss of brainpower within the ANC. The party's failure to correctly register candidates for the 4 November local government elections is a prime example of this decline. Despite the party's long history of contesting elections, it struggled to complete a basic task. The ANC's response to this debacle—a blame game against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and a futile court battle—further demonstrated its incompetence. The party's leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, echoed Mbalula's assertions, leading to a humiliating court loss for the ANC. The party's response to the court judgment—advising its members to remain calm and disciplined—lacked any sense of urgency or accountability. This statement came as the ANC insisted it would continue its efforts in the 2026 Local Government Elections. However, the party's commitment to the polls seemed more like a hollow promise than a genuine intention. The situation reached a new low when Mbalula and his National Executive Committee (NEC) member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma engaged in a public brawl. This incident was sparked by Dlamini Zuma's allegations that Mbalula paid delegates to secure the party's top jobs during the 2022 ANC national conference. Dlamini Zuma's claim, supported by a recipient's affidavit, added a new layer of absurdity to the situation. The brazen display of Mbalula allegedly doling out cash to delegates was a reminder of the party's descent into dysfunction. Throughout the story, the ANC's issues—corruption, incompetence, arrogance, and disregard for communities—have been laid bare. The secretary-general's stupidity, while deeply concerning, is emblematic of the organization's overall decline. The party's failure to treat its political tasks with the seriousness it deserves has far-reaching consequences for South Africa's electorate. While the story is meant to be humorous, it also highlights the very real impact of the ANC's missteps on everyday life for South Africans.",
  "summary": "There is a lot wrong with the ANC, so the stupidity of its secretary-general should ordinarily be the least of our concerns. However, he shows us why the party has become the punchline in a bad joke.",
  "key_points": [
    "Fikile Mbalula's missteps highlight ANC's decline.",
    "ANC failed to register candidates for 4 November elections.",
    "Mbalula-Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma public brawl over election allegations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}