Latest news with #Fikile
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Gareth Cliff mocks Fikile's intelligence in shady post
Gareth Cliff has continued his longstanding social media feud with Fikile Mbalula with another shady post. The former shock jock and the politician have often butt heads over their views on trending South African topics. On his X account, Gareth Cliff joined many South Africans who reacted to Floyd Shivambu's resignation from the MK Party. The Secretary-General was forced to leave his post after he bragged about visiting fugitive Shepherd Bushiri at his home in Malawi. Fikile Mbalula – who also has a much-publicised feud with Floyd – threw shade at his political nemesis. Fikile tweeted: 'Zuma uSleg, they made Floyd draft the constitution to only use the same constitution to remove him'. Floyd clapped back: 'Like he decisively used the Constitution to take the 'mighty' ANC to 40% and left you begging for cooperation with the white minority.' He added: 'I respect and will forever respect President Zuma'. Weighing into the fiery face-off, Gareth Cliff responded: 'Floyd is smarter than Fikile.' He cheekily posted a proverb referring to Fikile: 'In the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king.' Over the years, Fikile Mbalula and Gareth Cliff have often taken shots at each other on the X platform [formerly Twitter]. In 2014, Fikile gave the Cliff Central founder a tongue-lashing after he questioned why the late Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was given a state funeral. Fikile clapped back: 'Who paid for Verwoerd's funeral? And who paid for PW Botha's funeral? It is the state, did they deserve it?… We never asked because we respect the dead. In 2016, the then Minister of Sport threw shade at Gareth Cliff's axing from talent show, Idols South Africa , after the latter seemingly defended convicted racist Penny Sparrow. 'M-Net should tell him to jump over his surname', he posted and deleted. Last year, Gareth Cliff shamed Fikile for driving a multi-million rand G-Wagon during the ANC's election drive in underprivileged areas. Reposting a clip of the ANC Secretary-General, the Gareth tweeted: 'This is like when John Kerry flies in a private jet and criticizes rich people for their carbon footprint; or when every other hypocrite tells you to do as they say, not as they do. 'Fikile loves a G-Wagon and couldn't say no, even though this one was lent to him by a crook. He added: 'These venal, grasping parvenus are always caught trying to become the crass rich people they hate, but we're expected to pretend it's not obvious. 'Tsek'. 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.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa Budget 2025: Pushback over Fikile's D-Day announcement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has yet to disclose the end date of its court challenge against the proposed national budget, leaving uncertainty over whether the Government of National Unity (GNU) will resolve the budget deadlock within the ANC's five-day timeline. "The ANC has resolved that we will reset the button to engage with all political parties within the GNU as well as those not in the GNU to address the impasse with regards to the Budget. We intend to do that within five days to conclude the negotiations of the Budget," ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula said. He was speaking at a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 8 April 2025. At the heart of the impasse is not only the DA's opposition to the proposed 0.5% VAT increase for 2025/2026— which it argues will burden the poor — but deep ideological rifts over key transformation policies. Coalition tensions escalate ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has accused the DA of using the VAT issue as a lever to push back against the Expropriation Act, National Health Insurance (NHI), and Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act — legislation the DA allegedly seeks to dismantle from within the coalition. "We are now deeply concerned with the DA, whose participation is marred by government deal-making, negotiations, and disdain at transformation. What the GNU cabinet adopted: the NHI, BELA Act and Land Expropriation Act, the DA seeks to undo. It undermines the essence of collective government. The ANC is clear, the Expropriation Bill, the BELA Act, and the NHI are here to stay," Fikile said. Fikile stressed that the ANC never agreed to review or halt already-passed National Assembly bills. "The President has signed bills that have been duly passed by the National Assembly and the Council of Provinces — they remain before him — and he sends those that are unconstitutional back to Parliament. Nothing is unconstitutional about the NHI, the BELA Act and the Land Expropriation Act. And that's it." Call for co-governance The DA insists voters rejected single-party rule at the 2024 elections; and said current policy must reflect shared power. "South Africa needs an era of co-governance, built on the implementation of bold, pro-growth reforms that create jobs and restores fiscal stability," it said on X. "That is why the DA signed the Statement of Intent and entered the GNU — we wanted shared governance that prioritises delivery and economic recovery over political convenience." The DA said it has proposed practical solutions for growth, jobs, and fiscal stability, ready for implementation. "We look forward to discussing a clear reform agenda for growth and jobs with the ANC," it said. But while the GNU debates SA's fiscal consolidation, the budget delay also reflects South Africa's efforts to navigate complex international relationships. A funding shortfall, exacerbated by the end of US aid, places additional pressure on the government to secure alternative financial sources. In February 2025, about 40 USAID-funded health projects in South Africa received termination letters, leading to the cessation of services provided by approximately 8,493 PEPFAR-funded staff involved in HIV response activities. The proposed VAT increase, which is expected to generate an additional R28bn in 2025/26, is aimed at addressing a R60bn deficit partly due to the cessation of this funding. Investor concerns and a falling rand continue to reflect uncertainty over the coalition's future. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
