Sizok’thola Host Xolani Khumalo Announced as ActionSA’s Mayoral Candidate for Ekurhuleni

Sizok’thola Host Xolani Khumalo Announced as ActionSA’s Mayoral Candidate for Ekurhuleni

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News

insightjozinews.blogspot.com

In a move that has stunned both political circles and television audiences, Sizok’thola presenter Xolani Khumalo has officially been announced as ActionSA’s candidate for Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni. The announcement was made earlier today by the party’s president, Herman Mashaba, signaling what could be one of the most intriguing political shake-ups in recent local government history.

Khumalo, best known for his fearless work on the Moja Love reality show Sizok’thola, where he exposes drug dealers and confronts crime in communities, has built a strong public image as a man of action — unafraid to tackle corruption and social decay head-on. His transition from television to politics seems to align naturally with his passion for community justice and accountability.

In his new political role, Khumalo is expected to bring the same direct, uncompromising approach that made him a household name. ActionSA’s President, Herman Mashaba, praised Khumalo’s courage and integrity, calling him “a leader who represents the voice of ordinary South Africans who are tired of corruption, lawlessness, and failed leadership.”

Ekurhuleni, one of Gauteng’s key metros, has long battled service delivery challenges, unemployment, and allegations of maladministration. Khumalo’s candidacy injects fresh energy and symbolism — a crusader from the streets now stepping into the corridors of power.

Whether Khumalo’s popularity will translate into political success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his entry has already shifted the conversation about what kind of leadership South Africa needs — leadership that is visible, bold, and rooted in the realities of the people.

Insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

Julius Malema Found Guilty: A Question of Law or Selective Justice?

 Julius Malema Found Guilty: A Question of Law or Selective Justice?

Noko Maleka|insight jozi news 

The East London Magistrate Court yesterday delivered a striking verdict against EFF leader Julius Malema, finding him guilty on all charges related to firing a firearm into the sky at a political rally in 2018.

But this judgment raises serious questions: Is shooting a firearm into the air inherently criminal in South Africa, or is it a matter of selective enforcement?

We have all witnessed occasions, especially at funerals of military personnel, police officers, or prominent figures, where ceremonial gun salutes are performed. This involves discharging firearms into the sky as a mark of respect. Similarly, in rural areas and even urban townships, people fire warning shots into the air to disperse crowds or protect their families. Are all these acts to be considered unlawful too, or does the law apply differently depending on who pulls the trigger?

The case against Malema seems to hinge not merely on the action itself, but on who performed it, and where. If the law is clear that no firearm should be discharged outside of designated environments, then surely countless other cases of gun salutes, warning shots, and community rituals should have attracted the same legal wrath. Why then does the state appear to be applying a harsher standard to a political figure than to other social or cultural practices?

One could argue that Malema’s act, though reckless, mirrors practices that are normalized in our society. In that case, is the law outdated and in need of reform, or is it being wielded selectively as a political weapon?

South Africa is a constitutional democracy where the principle of equality before the law is sacred. Yet this verdict leaves many wondering whether “equality” is truly the benchmark, or whether our justice system bends to the winds of political expediency.

The judgment may be legally sound in the strictest sense of firearm regulations, but it also exposes a deeper inconsistency: What is celebrated in one context is condemned in another. If Malema’s conviction sets a precedent, then consistency demands that the same standard be applied across the board — from soldiers at funerals to police officers firing warning shots. Otherwise, we risk sliding into a system where justice is not blind, but rather sharply focused on silencing particular voices.

The question remains: Is Malema guilty of breaking the law, or guilty of being Malema?

Insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

#MalemaVerdict #SelectiveJustice #EFF #FreeStateHighCourt #GunSalute #SouthAfricaPolitics #EqualityBeforeTheLaw #JusticeOrPolitics #MalemaTrial #SAJusticeSystem

The Mysterious Death of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa

 The Mysterious Death of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa

By Noko Maleka – Insight Jozi News

South Africa has been plunged into shock and uncertainty after the sudden and mysterious death of Ambassador Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa, former cabinet minister and most recently South Africa’s envoy to France.

Mthethwa was found dead outside the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, having fallen from its 22nd floor, a room he had reserved just hours earlier. French investigators confirmed that the hotel window, normally secure, had been forced open. His wife had reported him missing the previous night after receiving a “worrying message”, and his phone was last traced near the Bois de Boulogne, west of Paris.

Authorities in France have opened a full investigation into whether his death was suicide, accident, or foul play. The Paris judicial police’s Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons is handling the case, with a duty magistrate already dispatched to the scene.

Mthethwa’s career spanned decades of influence in South African politics. He served as Minister of Police, later as Minister of Arts and Culture, and eventually as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.

But his legacy is not without controversy. The 2012 Marikana massacre, in which 34 mineworkers were killed by police, remains a lasting stain from his years of leadership. More recently, his name surfaced at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where explosive testimony by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi implicated Mthethwa in political interference within the criminal justice system.

It was alleged that he pressured intelligence chiefs to withdraw cases and shield powerful allies — including the withdrawal of charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli. Mthethwa had been expected to respond to or face these allegations as the Commission progressed.

Between Paris and Pretoria

The optics of a senior diplomat falling from a 22nd-floor hotel window, just as testimony linked him to corruption, are stark and chilling. French authorities are investigating with caution, but in South Africa, his death is already stirring deeper questions:

Was this a tragic suicide, driven by political and personal pressure?

Was it foul play, designed to silence him before he could testify

Or was it an accident, wrapped now in speculation and suspicion

DIRCO (South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation) has confirmed the ambassador’s death, expressing deep regret and pledging full cooperation with French investigators.

This moment calls for more than mourning — it calls for transparency. South Africans deserve the full truth about the death of a man once entrusted with national security.

A public autopsy and forensic report must be released.

The message to his wife — potentially a key clue — should be disclosed in the interest of justice.

The Madlanga Commission must not falter; testimony about political interference cannot be buried with Mthethwa.

Nathi Mthethwa was a complex figure — powerful, controversial, at times divisive. But his death, under such suspicious circumstances, has forced the nation to confront the fragility of its institutions.

South Africans deserve clarity. They deserve justice. They deserve to know whether this was a tragedy of despair, a crime of silencing, or something else altogether.

History must not record his death as just a fall from the 22nd floor. It must be remembered as a test of whether truth can still rise above the shadows.

 by Noko Maleka for Insight jozi news

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From Operation Dudula to Tribalism: The Dangerous Road We’re Paving for Ourselves

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From Operation Dudula to Tribalism: The Dangerous Road We’re Paving for Ourselves

By Noko Mabofa Maleka |Insight jozi news 

The fear that keeps me awake at night is that after the so-called “success” of Operation Dudula, South Africa will be forced to confront an even uglier demon—tribalism.

I am often condemned for my stance against Dudula. Yet, I cannot remain silent when I see a dangerous shift in our society, where some South Africans—particularly black South Africans—are beginning to negotiate in their minds that xenophobic attacks and hate speech against fellow Africans might somehow be justified. That thought alone chills me to the bone.

It baffles me that those who share the same skin tone, the same history of struggle, and the same scars of oppression could support movements rooted in hatred and division. We know—better than anyone—the conditions that have driven our brothers and sisters from across the continent to our shores. These Africans have come not to steal our prosperity, but to share in the crumbs of a bread we ourselves are still searching for. We don’t even know who ate the loaf.

I have written, spoken, and publicly condemned Operation Dudula’s criminal acts. And yet, my greater fear is this: after the xenophobic dust settles, we will find ourselves choking on the smoke of tribalism. We will turn from blaming “foreigners” to blaming each other—Zulu against Xhosa, Sotho against Tswana, Venda against Pedi. We will carve our unity into pieces, just as our colonisers once did.

What stings most is our double standard. As black South Africans, we can erupt with rage over a single racist tweet from a fellow black man who dares use the K-word—but somehow we can rationalise an organised mob hunting down African migrants in the streets. If that is not hypocrisy, what is it?

I’ve seen tribalism up close, and it is never noble, never righteous. Years ago, I worked in the Limpopo mines in Burgersfort. Every day, workers who weren’t from Limpopo—especially those from the Free State and Eastern Cape—faced toxic hostility. Some even died. And, disturbingly, this was often treated like a joke.

When I took a vacation job in KwaZulu-Natal, I was called a mfene. People questioned why I had travelled so far just to work there. My Zulu was terrible, and at one point, I feared for my life. That fear taught me that tribalism is not just an ugly sentiment—it is a deadly disease.

And yet, across Africa, the story is the same. From Cape to Cairo, we are ruled by governments and leaders who have long stopped caring for the people who put them in power. We are fed lies because lies are easy to swallow, especially when they tickle the ear and absolve us from facing the truth.

History is littered with the consequences of our divisions. In Zimbabwe, the Shona massacred the Ndebele in the Gukurahundi. Decades later, are the Shona any better off? Did such bloodshed feed the hungry or free the oppressed? No—it merely deepened the wounds of a nation.

If we do not confront the cancer of xenophobia now, it will metastasise into tribalism. And when that day comes, the enemy will not be the “foreigner” at our door—it will be our neighbour, our co-worker, even our family member.

Operation Dudula may claim to protect South Africa, but if its spirit of hatred takes root in our communities, it will destroy us long before it saves us.

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"Steenhuisen Wins Hearts of Black South Africans with Calls for Him to Be President"

 "Steenhuisen Wins Hearts of Black South Africans with Calls for Him to Be President"

John Steenhuisen’s latest address in Johannesburg did more than present an economic plan—it ignited a sense of hope and unity among South Africans, crossing racial lines in a way that few leaders have managed to do.

He stood before the nation not as a partisan figure, but as a unifier, earning applause from both black and white communities. His clear and bold plan for economic growth and job creation spoke to the everyday struggles of ordinary South Africans, offering tangible solutions in a time of uncertainty. His delivery exuded calm assurance—his words weren’t just policy; they were a promise that resonated with empathy and a deep appreciation of collective hardship.

Crucially, Steenhuisen didn’t stop at economics. In his Johannesburg briefing, he took a firm stand against hate—specifically condemning Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s recently resurfaced racial slur. Steenhuisen declared such language has “no place in South Africa,” comparing it directly to the divisive chant “Kill the Boer,” and reaffirmed a leader’s duty to uphold respect and unity .

He insisted on accountability across the board:

“There needs to be consistency. … It cannot be all right for one person to say something just because they have a certain skin colour, but it’s not right for another person to say something.” 

Describing McKenzie’s remarks as “totally irresponsible,” Steenhuisen stressed that public office demands a higher standard of conduct.

 “Such behavior is not of the calibre of a minister.” 

This blend of economic clarity and moral courage has clearly struck a chord. Many black South Africans have voiced appreciation for his forthright stance, not just on policy, but on the values that define leadership. On social media, comments flooded in: some framed it as the first time they’ve felt truly heard as black citizens; others openly urged him to pursue the presidency.

By Noko Mabofa Maleka 

Insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

https://www.youtube.com/live/1z12YQNQ2ck?si=YXn_U4kjJ3HlLvFm

SACP’s Solo Bid: A Political Gamble or a Cry for Relevance

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By: Noko Mabofa Maleka | Insight Jozi News

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has made it clear: it intends to contest the 2026 municipal elections independently, breaking away from its historic alliance with the African National Congress (ANC).

In a recent conversation with SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, I put to him the question many political observers have been quietly asking: Isn’t it too late for the Communist Party to carve its own electoral path?

After all, the SACP’s influence is deeply woven into the ANC’s political DNA. Many of its members not only carry ANC membership cards but also occupy influential positions in government, business, and ministerial offices—achievements made possible through their long-standing alignment with the governing party.

Mapaila’s answer was resolute. He argued that the SACP can no longer meaningfully advance its communist vision from within the ANC, signalling a decisive ideological break.

But while the SACP frames this move as a matter of political principle, the ANC views it with concern.

On 6 August 2024, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula told the media that the party has “tried by all means” to convince the SACP to reconsider, warning of “massive repercussions” for both organisations. He pointed to the SACP’s poor performance in recent Seshego by-elections—where the EFF claimed a sweeping victory—as an example of the risks the Communists face outside the alliance’s shelter.

When asked by SABC journalist Samkelo Maseko whether the ANC could ultimately prevent the split, Mbalula conceded that the party may no longer be able to stop the SACP from going it alone.

Pressed further by a News24 reporter on whether the SACP’s decision was influenced by perceived snubs in the Government of National Unity (GNU) cabinet allocations, Mbalula gave no definitive answer. Still, the political undercurrents are difficult to ignore.

In the GNU’s formation, the SACP’s allies in the ANC appeared sidelined, with key ministerial posts going instead to the Democratic Alliance and even to smaller, less influential parties like the Patriotic Alliance. For a movement that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the ANC through decades of struggle and governance, this may have felt like a public slight—a diminishment of its political stature.

Some observers see the SACP’s new direction as less about ideological purity and more about a political cry for attention; a warning shot across the bow of its long-time ally that it will not be ignored. Others argue that the Communist Party’s survival now depends on proving it has genuine grassroots support, independent of the ANC brand.

If the SACP is seeking to reassert its identity and reconnect with its working-class base, breaking away may be its only path forward. But if this is a calculated bid for political relevance in the age of coalition politics, the gamble could backfire—especially if it finds itself without enough votes to shape policy or sustain a meaningful parliamentary presence.

For now, the ANC remains publicly diplomatic, but the truth is clear: a formal split will strain the Tripartite Alliance to its core and reshape South Africa’s political landscape in ways both parties may later regret.

What is certain is that in 2026, the SACP will face the ultimate test—not in conference halls or press briefings, but at the ballot box.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula to Address Nation on NEC Meeting Outcomes Today

Date: 6 August 2025
By Noko Mabofa Maleka | Insight Jozi News
www.insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

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The African National Congress (ANC) is set to host a high-profile media briefing today, Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at 11:00 AM, where Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula will address the media on the outcomes of the recent ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The briefing will take place at the Chief Albert Luthuli House in Johannesburg, the ANC’s headquarters.

This media briefing is of significant national interest as it follows a weekend-long NEC gathering where pressing issues facing both the party and the country were on the agenda. From internal party discipline to economic instability, coalition governance, and the state of service delivery in municipalities, South Africans are eager to hear what decisions were taken by the ANC’s highest decision-making body between conferences.

According to a media advisory issued by the ANC's Department of Communications, Information, and Publicity, the Secretary-General will give a comprehensive update and take questions from accredited media houses. 

The ANC NEC meeting comes at a critical time in South Africa's political landscape, with heightened public scrutiny over corruption scandals, leadership divisions, and policy direction—especially in light of growing public dissatisfaction and the shifting dynamics of coalition politics post-2024 elections.

Fikile Mbalula, known for his candid and bold approach, is expected to outline the party’s stance on recent controversies, internal disciplinary matters, and provide clarity on any leadership or structural changes within the ANC.

Key Event Details:

• Event: ANC NEC Media Briefing
• Speaker: ANC Secretary-General Cde Fikile Mbalula
• Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM
• Venue: Chief Albert Luthuli House, Johannesburg
• Occasion: Feedback on the outcomes of the ANC NEC Meeting

This  also coincides with the ANC’s 113th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, both of which hold historic and symbolic importance for the ruling party.

Insight Jozi News , will provide key statements, and expert analysis following the briefing.

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For Media Inquiries & Live Updates:
📲 Facebook/TikTok/Instagram: @NokoMaleka
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#ANCNEC #FikileMbalula #LuthuliHouse #MediaBriefing #SouthAfricaPolitics #InsightJoziNews

Apartheid Did Not Die – Professor Mandla Radebe Unpacks South Africa’s Unfinished Revolution By Noko Mabofa Maleka – Insight Jozi News | 1Africa Radio TV | Insight Africa

Apartheid Did Not Die – Professor Mandla Radebe Unpacks South Africa’s Unfinished Revolution

By Noko Mabofa Maleka – Insight Jozi News | 1Africa Radio TV | Insight Africa

BRAAMFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG – In a thought-provoking and powerfully relevant book lounge held yesterday in the heart of Johannesburg’s cultural district, Professor Mandla J. Radebe launched his groundbreaking new title, “Apartheid Did Not Die: South Africa’s Unfinished Revolution”. The event, hosted at a lively venue in Braamfontein, drew an engaged audience of political thinkers, journalists, students, activists, and members of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Among the notable guests in attendance was SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, who added political weight and historical context to the urgent themes presented in the book. The event was covered by Insight Jozi News, Insight Africa, and 1Africa Radio TV, whose cameras and microphones captured an evening of honest critique, radical reflection, and intellectual depth.

🔍 A Review: A Mirror and a Warning

In Apartheid Did Not Die, Professor Radebe dissects the uncomfortable truth behind South Africa’s post-1994 landscape. He boldly asserts that although the political system of apartheid may have legally ended, its economic, spatial, social, and psychological structures remain largely intact. Through incisive research, historical framing, and grounded political analysis, Radebe challenges both state and society to confront what he terms a betrayed revolution.

The book is not a lament—it is a clarion call. A call for radical introspection, for genuine transformation, and for intellectual honesty. Radebe provides a scathing yet nuanced examination of neoliberal policies, state capture, and elite pacts that replaced the ideals once carried by liberation movements. It is as much a work of scholarship as it is a political manifesto.

One of the most compelling chapters explores how media narratives, both global and local, were weaponized to sanitize the apartheid state’s transition and pacify dissent. As a media scholar and activist, Radebe writes with clarity, conviction, and a fearless sense of duty to truth.

🎤 Book Lounge Highlights: Ideas That Refuse to Die

The Braamfontein lounge was more than just a book launch—it was a moment of collective reckoning. In a spirited keynote, Solly Mapaila lauded the book as “a timely ideological intervention” and stressed the importance of returning to Marxist-Leninist principles in today’s South African struggle.

Professor Radebe, speaking with his characteristic calm intensity, emphasized the role of intellectuals in the revolution. “We must narrate our unfinished revolution with the language of the people and the urgency of history,” he said to a chorus of applause.

Attendees engaged in robust discussions around the failures of the democratic transition, the co-optation of liberation ideals, and what radical transformation should look like in our lifetime.

🧠 Why This Book Matters Now

In a country reeling from service delivery protests, student unrest, unemployment, and deepening poverty, Apartheid Did Not Die arrives as both a mirror and a roadmap. It is not a book for the comfortable—it is for those who still believe in freedom and who are willing to challenge the convenient myth of a “rainbow nation.”

Professor Radebe compels the reader to acknowledge a brutal truth: democracy without justice is just a disguise. His work equips a new generation of activists and scholars with the tools to interrogate power, dismantle mythologies, and reignite what he calls “the revolutionary fire we were promised.”

📸 See the Event

Stay tuned to Insight Jozi News, Insight Africa, and 1Africa Radio TV for exclusive pictures, soundbites, and video coverage from the lounge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the full experience.

📘 Where to Get the Book

Apartheid Did Not Die is published by Inkani Books and available at major bookstores, online platforms, and independent outlets.

For media inquiries, reviews, or to suggest other book features, contact Noko Mabofa Maleka at insightjozinews@gmail.com.