At just 38 years old, Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has achieved what many couldn’t in a lifetime. He is a South African politician and activist and also a vital member of the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the South African Parliament and a former national spokesperson. This focus-driven politician has been very vocal about several pressing issues in the South African political space, which has further endeared him to several young people. For this reason, Ndlozi was named the Most Influential Young South African of 2017. Perhaps as he furthers his political career, more recognitions will still come.
Quick Profile of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
- Name in Full: Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi
- Birth Date: 9 May 1985
- Age: 38 years old
- Political Affiliation: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
- National Political Portfolio: Member, National Assembly of South Africa
- Highest Academic Qualification: Political Science – PhD
Ndlozi’s Political Career Began In The 90s While In College
He became politically awakened when he was just 7 years old in 1992 after the apartheid police jailed his uncle for his participation in a liberation movement. His major involvement in politics began while he was a student at the University of the Witwatersrand. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi joined the Cuban international solidarity movements, the South African Students Congress (SASCO), the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), and was part of the Palestinian. In 2013, he participated in the “No Obama campaign” launched by some political congresses of young people.
Joining the Fifth Legislature as a new Member of Parliament, he reiterated that he looked forward to making sure that the strict responsibility of the executive returns, to ensure that the Parliament returns to the people, which will make the people follow developments in Parliament and then make sure that members of Parliament represent the citizens and their interests very well. Above all, his major plan is to show that a program based only on the seven cardinal pillars of the EFF can lead South Africa to economic freedom and sustainable development.
His Education Prepared Him for a Career in Politics
The ace politician attended Khutlo, Tharo Secondary School, and while in secondary school, he was awarded the Young Communicator Award in 2002. Furthermore, he got a study grant of ten thousand rands. Mbuyiseni later enrolled for his bachelor’s degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2004, where he studied humanities. In 2007, he obtained his doctorate in political science at the University of the Witwatersrand.
The young politician was determined to reach the top of his career and knew that getting an education was paramount to achieving his political ambitions. As it stands, he is considered one of the most educated members of the Economic Freedom Fighters. He is determined to reach the elite circle in his country, a driving force for his academic prowess. When Mbuyiseni got his Ph.D., his mother was so excited that she cried. A boy from the little town of Vaal had become a Dr. of Political Science, how inspiring!
He Is Widely Regarded As A Controversial Politician And Activist
Ndlozi is never the one to mince words or shy away from controversies. Ndlozi, Julius Malema, and Floyd Shivambu, along with other members of Parliament who are part of the Economic Freedom Fighters, were kicked out of Parliament for disrespecting then-President Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation address in 2015 and 2016, respectively. During other Chamber sessions, they were subsequently removed from the National Assembly by the parliamentary protection services.
The National Assembly’s EFF dismissal is linked to the South African Constitutional Court finding out that then-President Jacob Zuma failed to respect and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. During the session of the National Assembly from which the EFF was expelled, the premise of the disturbance caused by the EFF was the ineligibility of President Jacob Zuma to address the National Assembly because the EFF considered that his judgment of the Constitutional Court of South Africa had illustrated the flouting of the oath of office which gives the President his authority and therefore his place in the National Assembly.
Moreover, Ndlozi and Julius Malema were involved in an alleged assault on a police officer at Winnie-Madikizela-Mandela‘s funeral in 2018. The National Prosecution Authority has said it is ready to prosecute charges of common assault against Ndlozi and Malema. Ndlozi also defended the actions of EFF members during the Clicks protests, in which a group of EFF men harassed and pushed an interviewer as she attempted to interview protesters.
This has led to a serious backlash with the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) describing their action as “appalling” and “misogynistic.” The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said it would look into a complaint arising from Ndlozi’s defense of the harassment of a female journalist. Claiming that he tried to trivialize the incident when he described it as mere touching. Ndlozi had to retract his statement and apologized after a public outcry.
Despite Being A Controversial Figure, Ndlozi Is Loved By His People
Although a very controversial person within the political space in South Africa, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has become the favorite and role model of many young South Africans thanks to his unaltered appearance with his unique but fantastic hairstyle and substantial academic and political achievements at such a young age. Becoming one of the youngest parliament members in the Republic of South Africa has raised so many hopes among young people and revived their involvement in politics. That is why he is often called “the bae of the people.” His attitude always shows courage, and he has, over time, motivated not a small number of the South African Youths. His fearlessness and contributions to the development of South African Politics and the nation are commendable.
Is Mbuyiseni Ndlozi A Founding Member Of EFF?
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was formed in 2013, and It was about a year after that Mbuyiseni Ndlozi joined the political party. Hence, he is not a founding member, but he has been very prominent in the party since he joined them in 2014. He was the youngest of The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members when he joined. Ndlozi was the National Spokesperson of the party, a position he performed incredibly well in while discharging his duties.