Tumisho Masha Slammed for Calling Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng a Derogatory Term Over Joburg Mayor Bid

Published 21 Oct 2026 at 10:16 AM

by Gloria Masia

3 min read

Actor Tumisho Masha sparked outrage after using the slur 'straatmeit' against Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng in a post questioning her mayoral campaign
Masha argued that Mofokeng's professional background did not qualify her to tackle Johannesburg's most pressing problems
Dr Mofokeng fired back by detailing her six years as a UN Special Rapporteur and a string of high-level international appointments

PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!

Masha argued that Mofokeng’s professional biography did not answer basic questions about how she would address Johannesburg’s challenges — Actor Tumisho Masha faced backlash after describing Johannesburg mayoral candidate Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng as a “straatmeit” while questioning her suitability for the role. Image: Tumisho Masha
Source: Instagram

Actor Tumisho Masha found himself at the centre of a social media storm after directing a derogatory remark at Johannesburg mayoral candidate Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng. The word "straatmeit," an Afrikaans-derived slang term that loosely translates to a streetwise girl or woman, carries a clear derogatory charge when used in this context.

Masha's frustration centred on what he saw as a disconnect between Mofokeng's professional credentials and the real challenges facing Johannesburg's residents. In a social media post, he wrote:

"You keep shoving your bio down our throats, but can't answer basic questions about what we really need to fix Joburg."

Dr Mofokeng fires back with her credentials

Rather than let the remarks go unanswered, Mofokeng outlined a career that spans some of the most influential health and human rights platforms in the world. She said:

"The United Nations appointed me as an expert for six years, with all of this in the public domain, as UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health.”

She also referenced her work on sexual and reproductive health, including a report to the UN General Assembly on the impact of Covid-19, her role as a commissioner at the Commission for Gender Equality, and her contributions to the World Health Organisation's Human Reproduction Special Programme strategy. In 2016, she became the first civil society member to deliver a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on safe sexual and reproductive healthcare, representing 264 organisations. She added pointedly:

Backlash mounts against Masha

Sefu Sekgala did not hold back in condemning the actor's choice of language. Sekgala said:

"Tumisho, you sound very abusive. Dr Tlaleng is not your ex. Imagine if you're able to call such an outstanding leader of society a straatmeit, I can't imagine the torment you unleash on women in your life. Please be respectful to women. This is disappointing, Tumisho. Shame, man.”

Feminist and writer Robyn Porteous was equally blunt in Mofokeng's defence:

"Chap, if anything, the doctor is overqualified for the position. What is your problem?"

Mofokeng is running against a competitive field in the Johannesburg mayoral race that includes DA candidate Helen Zille, ActionSA's Herman Mashaba, MK Party's Bongani Baloyi, Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene, RISE Mzansi's Lukhona Mnguni, IFP's Mlungisi Mabaso, BOSA's Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Al Jama-ah's Shireen Ebrahim and Land Party candidate Ntsiki Mazwai.

Dr Mofokeng fires back with her credentials

Backlash mounts against Masha

Tumisho Masha clapped back at EFF