One of history's great mysteries that scientists are yet to research is the relationship between an empty fridge and ideological flexibility. Marx wrote about class. Fanon wrote about decolonisation. Biko wrote about psychological liberation. But none of them adequately prepared us for the political migration that occurs when the butter disappears and the electricity bill remains unpaid.
Andile Mngxitama deserves his own chapter in political science. There was a time when Mngxitama spoke as though Steve Biko had left him (alone) the spare key to Black Consciousness.
His every sentence carried the cadence of liberation, every paragraph smelled of Azanian possibility, and every critic was dismissed as suffering from terminal colonial consciousness. If you listened carefully enough, you could almost believe Biko had appointed a deputy before leaving this world. Then something extraordinarily horrible happened. The refrigerator began making political decisions.
When Julius Malema led the ANC Youth League, Mngxitama templated him a betrayer of the revolution who was merely holding a toy gun. Then, as if guided by an invisible GPS calibrated to the nearest source of survival, his destination suddenly became the EFF. It would seem some bridges are not burned, they merely require a catering budget.
Then came Jacob Zuma.
There was a period when Zuma represented everything wrong with the post-apartheid political establishment. Mngxitama would shout his lungs out from Malema’s spaza shop in parliament demanding Zuma to go and his criticism of Zuma flowed freely. But then the vocabulary changed, the tone changed too. Even the thieving and corrupt Indian Gupta family, in whose pockets Zuma dwelled, became tall revolutionary heroes. Black consciousness appeared to undergo a miraculous software update. Once again the fridge had entered the conversation and black consciousness principles reached an expiry date.
Now comes another fascinating chapter.
The man who once preached uncompromising Black unity, now supports the “march and march” advance merely because his breadwinner from Nkandla supports it. Vice Biko increasingly finds himself echoing positions that would have drawn fierce criticism from his earlier Black Consciousness self. The Andile of yesterday would probably have written blistering articles condemning the Andile of today as surrendering to reactionary politics.
The Andile of today would undoubtedly reply that the Andile of yesterday lacked revolutionary maturity. It is difficult to determine which Andile would win the debate, although both would insist they represent the authentic tradition of Black Consciousness.
This is not unique to Mngxitama. It has become a recurring disease in our politics.
The loudest guardians of principle often become the fastest auctioneers of principle once survival demands a new vocabulary. Suddenly ideology becomes strategy and contradiction becomes tactical repositioning. Language is endlessly inventive when their livelihoods are involved.
The greatest tragedy is not that Mngxitama always changes his mind. Human beings evolve. Circumstances change. Evidence changes. Honest reflection is a virtue. The tragedy is that each time he pretends that every u-turn was always a straight line.
One year he is quoting Steve Biko to denounce everyone else. The next year he is explaining why his latest alliance with same people is the inevitable culmination of Biko's unfinished project. Somehow Biko always ends up endorsing whichever organisation currently provides him the microphone. It is almost miraculous.
Science teaches us that tadpoles grow into frogs. That is evolution. But science can never successfully explain how a fully grown frog can wake up one morning and become a tadpole. Yet Mngxitama’s politics specialises in precisely this miracle. He claims ideological adulthood today and suddenly returns to the political nursery when circumstances require a fresh beginning. They call it reinvention. Perhaps we should stop asking him whether he has principles. The better question is whether those principles can survive grocery shopping.
History suggests that when the cupboard is full, conviction speaks loudly. But when the cupboard is empty, the same conviction suddenly discovers coalition politics. And somewhere, Steve Biko must surely be wondering why his name is forever being expropriated by someone who return it only after he has secured the next political meal.
On thing is certain though, the refrigerator and political consciousness are mutually reinforcing in Mngxitama’s world.
Tshediso Mangope moonlights as a social and political commentator in his spare time…
*The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of this publication (Journal News).
Thousands of South Africans today gathered across the country to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with illegal immigrants who have hijacked buildings, committing different crimes, and selling drugs.
Led by Tankiso Thobala, from 051 March and March, the march was a demonstration to a better future for their children and handed over a memorandum of demands to the Premier of the Free State MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae on what the residents want to see happen regarding the undocumented foreign nationals in the province.
Some of the grievances handed over are are that illegal and undocumented immigrants be deported, all businesses employing illegal immigrants be closed, and all shops belonging to undocumented foreigners be closed with immediate effect.
In Pretoria this morning the March and March memorandum was addressed to the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
They emphasized that the march was not directed to any person based on nationality, race, or ethnicity, but is directed at the government for failure to uphold the constitution.
“What brings us here today is our children whose future is being destroyed by what is currently happening in our country while we are looking,”Thobala said.
Upon receiving the memorandum of demands, Letshoha-Mathae, thanked the organizers for putting together a peaceful march, which she said indicates that they indeed wanted to be heard.
“The leadership you showed so that people understand that you are delivering important document, in which you want response to. So on behalf of the Free State government, I would like to thank you and the team that is in front here for the behavior you have displayed and keeping your promise that you will not cause any destruction because you want to be heard,” she.
She also encouraged people to lookout for their country because they have found several foreign nationals with fake visas and marriage certificates.
Letsoha-Mathae also promised that they will go through the memorandum and as government will send it to the presidency and different departments.
A major police raid in Mangaung has resulted in the arrest of the husband of a senior metro politician after authorities allegedly discovered 28 undocumented foreign nationals being housed at a local property, sparking political controversy amid nationwide protests against illegal immigration.
The arrest took place earlier on Tuesday following information received by investigators about a property suspected of being used as a safe house for undocumented foreign nationals.
Police descended on the premises and found 28 foreign nationals from different countries, who were also taken into custody for processing.
The arrest comes as citizen-led movements across South Africa staged nationwide protest marches demanding stricter action against undocumented foreign nationals.
The development has sent shockwaves through the Free State, with Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae confirming that preliminary investigations indicated the individuals had been staying at the property for about seven days.
The Premier further revealed that the property allegedly belongs to a senior politician in the Mangaung region.
“What is also concerning is that the owner of the guesthouse is one of the senior politicians in the region of Mangaung. That's where it is really worrying, but for now the police are still doing their work,” she said.
Letsoha-Mathae added that the politician's husband had not yet been formally charged and would be transported to the nearest police station for processing while investigations continue. He is expected to appear in Bloemfontein magistrate court soon.
The South African Police Service has deployed its most senior investigative units to probe an apparent assassination attempt on Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, Major General Feroz Khan.
Khan was shot on Sunday evening, on 3rd Avenue in Houghton, Johannesburg.
The police confirmed that Khan survived the attack and is receiving medical care and says the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said that the case is placed under a multi-unit task force and announced that the investigation is led by the Gauteng Hawks, Gauteng Crime Intelligence, and the SAPS Detective Service, and also instructed the Political Killings Task Team, PKTT, to join the probe.
“The PKTT will ensure every possible lead is pursued and those behind the shooting are identified and arrested.
“It would be premature and irresponsible to speculate on a motive before investigators have established the facts,” Dimpane said.
Dimpane said detectives will follow the evidence wherever it leads and that any attempt to intimidate, silence or attack participants in judicial processes would be treated as a priority.
She says the service also cautioned that interference with the commission’s work would be met with the full might of the law
Dimpane also strongly condemned the attack and wished Khan a speedy recovery.
“I am reassuring the public that SAPS is committing maximum resources to the investigation. No effort will be spared in identifying, tracing and arresting those responsible,” she said.
The shooting comes a month before Khan was scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry scheduled for 1 July. SAPS acknowledged public speculation linking the attack to his anticipated testimony, but warned against concluding.
Police have appealed for information from the public to assist investigators and says the investigation is ongoing.
The Free State is gearing up for a vibrant celebration of music, heritage, and unity after the launch of the 2026 Free State Choral, Clap and Tap Festival, an initiative aimed at preserving indigenous musical traditions and creating new opportunities for artists across the province.
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, in partnership with the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) Programme and Ntho Ya Kasi Entertainment, officially launched the festival at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) on Friday.
The provincial cultural development initiative seeks to promote social cohesion while ensuring that indigenous music traditions continue to thrive among younger generations and communities throughout the province.
Delivering the keynote address, MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Zanele Sifuba said the launch comes during a year of significant historical milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
“As we reflect on the heroic spirit of the youth of 1976, 50 years later, we must remain conscious of the enormous impact that choral, clap and tap music has on young people. This is a programme that has historically attracted and touched the lives of many young people,” said Sifuba.
She said the province must continue strengthening youth participation as the programme enters its second year in honour of the courage and resilience demonstrated by the youth of 1976.
Sifuba also noted that last year's report showed that most participants were women, drawing a connection to the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March.
“The dominance of female choral, clap and tap music lovers resonates with the 70th anniversary of the Women's Anti-Pass March that we are celebrating this year. Let us continue to intensify women's participation as we roll out the programme this year,” she said.
Ntho Ya Kasi Entertainment CEO Mbulelo Davis described the festival as a celebration of identity and cultural heritage.
“The Free State Choral, Clap and Tap Festival is a celebration of who we are as a people. It is about preserving cultural traditions that have sustained communities for generations while creating new opportunities for artists to grow, learn, and participate meaningfully in the creative economy,” he said.
He added that the initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships between government, communities, and the creative sector in building a more inclusive and sustainable future for arts and culture in the province.
The festival will be rolled out across all districts of the Free State, including Fezile Dabi, Thabo Mofutsanyana, Lejweleputswa, and Xhariep District Municipalities.
The future of South Africa's leadership took centre stage at the Bethlehem Town Hall last week as young voices from across Dihlabeng Local Municipality battled it out in a public speaking competition that celebrated democracy, youth activism, and the power of voting.
Hosted by the municipality under the theme, "Youth Voice – Know Your Government, Use Your Voice," the competition brought together Grade 9 learners from schools across the municipality.
As part of the entry requirements, learners had to submit videos that met specific technical and content guidelines. The initiative provided participants with an opportunity to showcase their public speaking skills while reflecting on the significance of the June 16, 1976 Uprising, the gains made since the dawn of democracy, and the importance of active citizenship.
Eight finalists advanced to the competition, representing LK Nhlabathi Secondary School, Thabo Thokoza Secondary School, Kganyeng Secondary School, Bethlehem Combined School, Bethlehem Comprehensive School, Mashaeng Secondary School, Taung Secondary School, and Paul Roux Intermediate School.
The young speakers impressed judges and the audience alike as they unpacked South Africa's education history. These events led to the 1976 student uprising and the role of young people in shaping the country's future through voting and civic participation. Some participants even quoted iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela to reinforce their messages.
After a closely contested competition, Lerato Mokhoantle of Mashaeng Secondary School emerged as the overall winner. Lethabo Mohapi of Bethlehem Combined School secured second place, while Relebohile Maseko of Bethlehem Comprehensive School finished third.
Mokhoantle said winning the competition was particularly rewarding because preparing for it coincided with midterm examinations.
"I am very excited about the outcome because we put in a lot of effort and had to overcome many challenges along the way as it was during the exam period, so I was forced to multitask," she said.
She credited her success to the support she received from her family, friends, and teachers, who encouraged and assisted her throughout her preparations.
Executive Mayor Tseki Tseki congratulated all the participants and urged them to be proud of their achievements, regardless of the final results. He said participating in the competition reflected courage, confidence, commitment, and leadership potential.
"The competition showcased the talent, confidence, and immense potential of Dihlabeng's youth while honouring the enduring legacy of the young people who played a pivotal role in South Africa's struggle for freedom and democracy," said Tseki.
The event was supported by key stakeholders, including the Department of Social Development and the National Youth Development Agency, underscoring the importance of empowering young people to become informed and active citizens.
