Herman Mashaba accused of becoming bitter and race-baiting on Twitter 

Head of Strategic Operations, at the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR), Sihle Ngobese took to Twitter on Friday, 22 November 2019, to say that he misses the old Herman Mashaba. 

The tweet read: “Damn, I miss the old @HermanMashaba. The one who was; non-racial, inspirational and entrepreneurial. This current Herman Mashaba, the politician, is bitter, confrontational & race-baiting. It’s amazing how personality destroying politics is. #PoliticiansAreTrash.”

Mashaba is currently the Mayor of Johannesburg but will be retiring on 27 November 2019. 

Mashaba replied to Ngobese saying: “The Herman you missed, never existed. Sorry.” 

He also said: “It is so SAD for some people who believe that fighting for poor people, who happen to be Black, is being racist. South Africa is the most unequal country on earth. Please note that I got into public office to correct this abnormally.”

Twitter responses

Some tweeps appeared to defend Mashaba while others said being poor doesn’t mean you are black. 

“I have followed your story for a very long time and I like this @HermanMashaba . He is more in touch with his roots and embraces his position to effect positive change.”

“It comes with a territory ntate Mashaba. They only want people who agrees with the status quo. Once you speak equality or uplifting of poor people (who happen to be black), you are a problem.” 

“Mr Mashaba, please remember that Ngobese works for @IRR_SouthAfrica & we all know their poisonous right-wing extremist agenda.”

What a disappointment Mashaba turned out to be 

Institute of Race Relations analyst, Hermann Pretorius also took to Twitter saying that Mashaba turned out to be such a disappointment. 

Pretorious’ tweet read: “Here’s looking at you, @HermanMashaba. What a disappointment you turned out to be. We were hoping for an honest man, a true liberal who’d uplift, build, & unite, who wouldn’t imitate the small-minded vulgarity of the EFF’s Verwoerdian & racist politics.”

Mashaba responded by saying: “This young man was brought up in a highly racist family that religiously believed that Blacks are inferior to him and his race. I can’t help him.”

“This is interesting. Couple of days ago, they agreed with him on everything, until he decided to get off the racist DA ship, he’s now called all sorts of names. I hope the lost black DA voters are taking notes,” said another user. 

Your only claim to fame are your parents, says Mashaba

Member of parliament for the Democratic Alliance (DA), Ghaleb Cachalia agreed with Pretorious and the IRR, saying he champions xenophobia. 

Cachalia’s tweet read: “I don’t know about @Meneer_Mann ‘s family. It matters not. I was  not brought up in a family that believed anyone to be inferior; on the contrary.I tend to agree with much of what Pretorious and the IRR says as opposed to xenophobia and racial nationalist stuff you champion.”

Cachalia is the son of anti-Apartheid activists Amina and Yusuf Cachalia, and a relative of former African National Congress MP Ismail Cachalia. 

In response, Mashaba said: “It is always a challenge for some people when their only Claim to Fame is their parents.”