Mcebo Dlamini
Mcebo Dlamini is an Swazi-born South African politician who was one of the prominent leaders of the massive #FeesMustFall protests in South Africa which led to the introduction of free tertiary education for the poor mainly black students in the country.[6]
Mcebo Dlamini | |
---|---|
Born | Mcebo Dlamini December 17, 1986[1] |
Nationality | Swazi |
Citizenship | Swazi |
Education | University of Witwatersrand |
Alma mater | University of Witwatersrand |
Occupation | Politician |
Years active | 5 |
Known for | #FeesMustFall |
Home town | Cambridge |
Political party | African National Congress |
Movement | South African Students Congress |
Opponent(s) | Reggie Nkabinde, Thanduxolo Sabela |
Criminal charge(s) | Malicious Damage to Property, Public Violence, Court Order Violation, Theft |
Children | 2 |
Family | House of Dlamini |
Sisulu lineage claims
While a student at Wits, he claimed to be the grandson of the late ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu. He introduced himself as Mcebo Olyate Sisulu, lovechild of Zwelakhe Sisulu and a Swazi princess. The brother of Zwelakhe, Max Sisulu, later said: "My family knows nothing of a Mcebo."
During a meeting with journalists from Wits Vuvuzela, he said, "My name is Mcebo Freedom Dlamini. That’s my stage name [Mcebo Sisulu], that’s the name I decided to call myself when I’m excited." Asked if he is the son of Zwelakhe Sisulu, he said, "No I am not." Asked if he is indeed a Sisulu, Dlamini said, "I'm not."[7]
Expulsion from student leadership
A former President of the Students' Representative Council of the University of the Witwatersrand, he was expelled in 2015 for misconduct.[8] He gained notoriety following controversial remarks, including praising Adolf Hitler for killing white people as opposed to other leaders who he said had killed only black people.[9] Dlamini defended his comments following outcry from South African Jews, claiming that "the same thing Hitler was doing to the Jews, they are doing to the Palestinians".[10] He supports the BDS campaign.[11]
Arrest
He was arrested in 2016 and charged with violating a court order, public violence, theft, malicious damage to property, and assaulting an officer during the protest.[12]
Sentencing
On 9 March 2020, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court sentenced Dlamini to two years, wholly suspended for five years, for public violence. He was also given six months' imprisonment, again wholly suspended for five years, for unlawfully staying in the country.[13]
References
- https://madibazradio.co.za/politics/political-report-by-qhawe-ka-mkhwane/the-rise-and-fall-of-mcebo-dlamini/
- https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/student-leader-dlamini-might-flee-to-swaziland-court-hears-20161018
- https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/breaking-student-leader-mcebo-dlamini-denied-bail-20161019
- https://madibazradio.co.za/politics/political-report-by-qhawe-ka-mkhwane/the-rise-and-fall-of-mcebo-dlamini/
- https://www.pressreader.com/swaziland/sunday-observer/20150510/282329678508528
- Habib, Adam (4 May 2015). "Mcebo Dlamini no longer SRC president or member". Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- Manala, Thabile (2014-06-01). "Wits student known as a Sisulu finally admits to lying". Wits Vuvuzela. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- "I love Hitler as he starved white people – Dlamini". The Citizen. 2015-05-16. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
- Ziyanda Ngcobo and Kgothatso Mogale. "SRC president's suspension: Wits students speak out". Retrieved 11 June 2018.
EWN spoke to students from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) to get their reaction around the recent suspension of SRC president Mcebo Dlamini.
- "SRC president unapologetic about love for Hitler". News24. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- "Israel: BDS campaign is both divisive and malicious - NEWS & ANALYSIS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- "Mcebo Dlamini gets suspended sentence for violence, weighs options". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- "'Tired' Mcebo Dlamini pleads guilty but avoids jail time". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2020-03-10.