ANC spokesperson shamed for 'overeating' at National Dialogue
The convention – which is open to the public – kicked off on Friday, 15 August at the University of South Africa (UNISA)'s main campus in Pretoria. It will continue for several months and will facilitate direct communication between the government and the public.
In a clip that has gone viral on social media, eNCA's Andrew Barnes commented on ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu's appearance at the National Dialogue.
He said during a live segment: 'I hope the ANC spokeswoman is no longer hungry. She helped herself no less than twice to the crew's sandwiches'.
He added, 'Love her'.
The clip left many government officials outraged over the journalist's comments.
Gauteng Premier Penyaza Lesufi posted on X: 'I hope eNCA will act decisively. He will never say this to Helen Zille or AfriForum'.
The president's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, added, 'This is outside of free speech and totally uncalled for.'
Mahlengi Bhengu responded to being fat-shamed at the National Dialogue, tweeting: 'Self-entitled condescension at its pitiful level. Embarrassed at such a lack of class.
'The ANC Communications has a great rapport with ENCA colleagues. The sandwich Marshall cannot fathom'.
Bhengu also demanded a public apology.
Following the backlash, eNCA's Andrew Barnes issued a public apology via his X account.
He said, 'At the time, I thought I was being cheeky and clever, but I've since been made to understand just how very deep those comments cut, not just to the ANC national spokesperson but for women across the country.
'[The National Dialogue] touched on the very issues we're talking about at the national convention: race, identity, and a lack of respect. But they also cut very personally, and I never go out to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings. But I'm sorry.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 minutes ago
- The Citizen
How will Ramaphosa deal with SA's foreign policy nightmare
South Affrica has a non-aligned foreign policy which has been seen as anti-U.S. A radical cabal already dominates SA's foreign affairs department. This week, the department – once studiously aloof from the ruling party's ideological feuds – showed it, too, has been drawn into the fray. During an official visit to Tehran, the country's top general pledged political and military solidarity with Iran against the US and Israel. It is the latest move in a quiet but fierce struggle inside the ANC between a dwindling band of what passes for moderates and an emboldened bloc of extremists, many with hard-line Islamist sympathies. The former cling to the fiction of a non-aligned SA. The latter see the present global disorder as their moment to cast the country as a heroic standard-bearer of the global south, leading the fight against 'Western imperialism' and 'US hegemony'. General Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), met in Tehran an array of Iran's top military leadership in a calculated affront to Washington. The departments of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) and defence are now scrambling to disclaim his anti-US rhetoric, even as he publicly committed South Africa to joint military ventures with a pariah state. Such denials should be taken with a generous pinch of salt. It is inconceivable that Maphwanya acted without the blessing of both departments and of the Presidency itself. Maphwanya's actions are extraordinary for the head of a military in a democracy. If the trip was unsanctioned and Maphwanya's statements unapproved, the implications are grave. As chief of the SANDF, such unilateral actions would constitute a direct military intrusion into civilian affairs of near-treasonous proportions. Immediate dismissal and possible cash earnings from the SANDF would be warranted. The department's responses have been striking. Neither denied knowing about the general's trip but both issued statements stressing foreign policy is the responsibility of the Presidency and Dirco. The implication is that they did know, but the general went rogue. If the trip was sanctioned, the diplomatic dis aster that has been unleashed demands account ability at the highest levels. Ronald Lamola (Dir co), Angie Motshekga (defence), and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Presidency) should all be axed. But the Presidency flatly denies any knowl edge of the trip or giving permission for it. This statement is almost as extraordinary as the general's actions. If the President was kept in the dark and his ministers knew, they must be axed immediately. The point is that there is a military stirring that needs to be nipped in the bud. It should be extremely concerning, especially to the ANC's partners in the government of national unity, that there is a strong possibility the Islamist-led bloc dominating Dirco has found a like-minded, equally senior anti-US/anti-Israel faction within the SANDF. The rot is spreading, and the consequences are eye-popping. This is not non-alignment. It's a confirmation of the US position articulated by US President Donald Trump in the February executive order: South Africa is actively acting against the interests of America in its embrace of Iran. Domestically, the implications of a politically assertive military are equally alarming. This is the well-worn route taken by every 'liberation party' regime north of the Limpopo: a slide towards authoritarianism, one-party dominance, repression and the occasional military coup. SA is now caught between two forces: an increasingly radicalised foreign policy and a militarised ideological alignment. What began with a quiet capture of Dirco has metastasised into an open assertion of anti-Western sentiment at the heart of the SANDF. The president and his coalition partners in the GNU must ruthlessly excise the cancer. But they won't.
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Tristan Tate defends Dricus against 'racist' comments
Tristan Tate – the brother of Andrew Tate – has defended Dricus du Plessis against critics who labelled him a 'racist'. Like the former UFC Middleweight World Champion, Tristan is known for his outspoken views on farm killings, 'white genocide,' and his endorsement of US President Donald Trump. Tristan, like Andrew, is also a former professional kickboxer. On his X account, Tristan Tate defended Dricus du Plessis against his critics. Tagging the former UFC Middleweight World Champion, Tristan posted: 'The hate @dricusduplessis is getting from people is totally unjustified.' He added, 'Chin up, champ, ignore the noise'. Tristan previously defended Dricus after fellow UFC fighter Israel 'Izzy' Adesanya claimed that the South African was 'not African'. He posted: 'Saying @dricusduplessis isn't African because he's white is super racist. 'He's African and so is Elon, do none of you know basic history?'. On X, many South Africans have accused Dricus of being a 'racist' after he publicly praised US President Donald Trump, who accused South Africa of promoting a 'white genocide'. Earlier this year, the 31-year-old said of the newly re-elected statesman: 'He is amazing, and I've had the privilege of meeting him. 'He said good changes are coming. He's holding many people and countries accountable for everything, and it's amazing to see'. Dricus also gave a 'big shout out to fellow South African Elon Musk for also doing the right thing.' Dricus du Plessis has praised Donald Trump and Elon Musk for speaking out about South Africa. Images via Instagram: @ufc Dricus – who has been vocal about farm killings – also infamously criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Speaking to US interviewer Nina Drama ahead of his UFC title fight last year, the Pretoria MMA fighter accused the government of 'screwing up' the country. He said: 'It's the worst government in the world by a long shot. We are truly and exceptionally s**t…it's the most corrupt in the world.' He continued: 'Our country is beautiful, the people are amazing…..There are a lot of great people doing great work. But I have to say, the government is terrible. Do I admit the tenacity with which they screw up? It's astonishing'. Of President Cyril Ramaphosa, he added: 'He takes all the money.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
ANC spokesperson shamed for 'overeating' at National Dialogue
eNCA news anchor Andrew Barnes has issued a public apology to ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu after he shamed her for overeating at the National Dialogue. The convention – which is open to the public – kicked off on Friday, 15 August at the University of South Africa (UNISA)'s main campus in Pretoria. It will continue for several months and will facilitate direct communication between the government and the public. In a clip that has gone viral on social media, eNCA's Andrew Barnes commented on ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu's appearance at the National Dialogue. He said during a live segment: 'I hope the ANC spokeswoman is no longer hungry. She helped herself no less than twice to the crew's sandwiches'. He added, 'Love her'. The clip left many government officials outraged over the journalist's comments. Gauteng Premier Penyaza Lesufi posted on X: 'I hope eNCA will act decisively. He will never say this to Helen Zille or AfriForum'. The president's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, added, 'This is outside of free speech and totally uncalled for.' Mahlengi Bhengu responded to being fat-shamed at the National Dialogue, tweeting: 'Self-entitled condescension at its pitiful level. Embarrassed at such a lack of class. 'The ANC Communications has a great rapport with ENCA colleagues. The sandwich Marshall cannot fathom'. Bhengu also demanded a public apology. Following the backlash, eNCA's Andrew Barnes issued a public apology via his X account. He said, 'At the time, I thought I was being cheeky and clever, but I've since been made to understand just how very deep those comments cut, not just to the ANC national spokesperson but for women across the country. '[The National Dialogue] touched on the very issues we're talking about at the national convention: race, identity, and a lack of respect. But they also cut very personally, and I never go out to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings. But I'm sorry.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
