MK Party's Mahlangu Defends Zuma Family Leadership by Pointing to ANC's 3 Ramokgopas
- MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu sparked debate after comparing the Zuma family's grip on MK leadership to the Ramokgopas in the ANC's National Working Committee
- Mahlangu made the remarks on the Podcast and Chill show on 24 August 2026, pushing back against claims that the MK Party is a family-run political organisation
- South Africans questioned the comparison on social media, with several pointing out key differences between how the two families rose to their respective positions
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SOUTH AFRICA — MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has drawn heavy criticism after attempting to deflect scrutiny over the Zuma family's dominance in the party's leadership by highlighting the presence of three Ramokgopas in the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC).
Mahlangu appeared on the Podcast and Chill show on 24 August 2026, where he argued that the ANC's NWC includes ANC Treasurer General Gwen Ramokgopa, Deputy Secretary General Maropene Ramokgopa, and Minister of Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa — all of whom he described as being related. He questioned why no one labels the ANC a "family party" despite its simultaneous presence in the same top structure.
Mahlangu's defence of the Zumas
The remarks came amid growing public backlash over Jacob Zuma's appointment of his son Duduzane Zuma as the MK Party's deputy president. Critics have questioned Duduzane's political credentials, arguing that he had no significant political background before the appointment.
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Mahlangu pushed back against the characterisation of MK Party as a stokvel, stating that the presence of two Zumas in leadership was comparable to the Ramokgopa situation in the ANC. His argument, however, was quickly challenged by South Africans on social media, some of whom disputed both his facts and his logic.
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South Africans push back online
@MakolaThabiso questioned the factual basis of Mahlangu's claim, writing:
"We must normalise calling out people for peddling their opinions as facts. Gwen and Kgosientsho are related as aunt and nephew from Atteridgeville and not from Mamelodi. Maropene grew up in Lebowakgomo and is not related to the two."
@BlackisGoldz drew a sharper distinction:
"The ANC members voted in the Ramokgopas. Who voted for the Zumas? 😂😂😂"
@BabaZwai wrote:
"How can one compare an onion with a tomato? The Ramokgopas he's talking about earned their stripes in the ANC while his 1st DP was shoved down everyone's throat after a spring cleaning ubabakhe did and stripping a number of people of power and positions. You can't compare both."
@Pius1564308pius added:
"Zuma wanted to turn the ANC into his private stokvel...He broke all ANC tradition by promoting his wife to be his successor whilst she was not even a deputy president...He's doing the same at MK Party."
@T_S_T_dee was dismissive of the comparison altogether, writing:
"Hahaha, this bro is talking nonsense, and I find it funny he even compares the 2 different parties 😂😂. We are used to ANC having many leaders from the same families: Tambos, Sisulus, Mandelas, etc!! That's not new now."
Duduzane Zuma defends MK Party leadership changes
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Duduzane Zuma's recent appointment as the first deputy president of the MK Party and the subsequent leadership reshuffles within the organization. Critics continue to question the stability of the party, while Zuma argues that the changes are essential for ensuring a capable leadership ready to govern.
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Source: Briefly News
