‘Stop Begging Government’: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi Unveils New Grassroots Movement
- Former EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi released a document pushing for a grassroots political movement called the Batho Pele Convention
- Ndlozi argued that South Africans have been trapped in a 'beggar-voter' mentality that keeps them dependent on failing government institutions
- He introduced the concept of 'Siyazenzela', urging communities to build their own systems instead of waiting for politicians to act
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SOUTH AFRICA - Former EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has published a bold political proposal calling on South Africans to stop depending on the state and take direct control of their communities. The document, titled "11 Theses on the Call for Batho Pele Convention: Siyazenzela", is dated 25 August and lays out his vision for a new kind of grassroots politics.
At the heart of Ndlozi's argument is the belief that ordinary citizens have been let down by the very institutions created to serve them. He writes that the Batho Pele principle, which places people at the centre of public service delivery, has been hollowed out by self-serving politicians and officials.
"The 'Batho Pele' principle, once a sacred covenant of our Constitution, is dead," he states plainly.
Breaking free from the beggar-voter mentality
Ndlozi is particularly critical of what he calls the "beggar-voter" mentality, describing a culture in which South Africans only engage with politics to demand services during election season, then wait passively for government to act. "For too long, we have been conditioned to be professional petitioners," he writes.
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His proposed Batho Pele Convention would serve as a platform to unite organised communities, giving them the tools and structures to address service delivery failures on their own. Ndlozi believes communities are capable of collectively tackling problems involving schools, clinics, roads and water supply, without waiting for government intervention.
He frames this self-reliant approach using the Zulu and Sotho concept of "Siyazenzela", meaning people doing things for themselves.
A new Vision for political leadership
Ndlozi also challenges the way leadership is understood in South African politics. He takes direct aim at what he calls the "Cult of the Professional Politician", rejecting the idea that politics should be a career built on personal gain. He is equally dismissive of the belief that communities need powerful figures or strongmen to rescue them.
"Leadership is not a career; it is a sacrificial stewardship," he writes.
In Ndlozi's view, the Batho Pele Convention is not simply another civic body. He envisions it as a movement that shifts real power back to the people, making communities less reliant on political parties and state institutions to solve everyday problems.
Ndlozi criticises March and March
However, Briefly News previously reported that Mbuyiseni Ndlozi heavily criticised grassroots civic organisation, March and March. Ndlozi said that the root cause of these movements stems from hatred and will leave the country in ruin. The former radio star hinted at a far bigger hand at play because, to him, this is a classic example of how to bring a country to failure and rob Africa of its riches.
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Source: Briefly News
