Gallery of KZN’s political oddballs

• Published date: 21 April 2024
• Author: Wendy Jasson Da Costa
• Publication title: Sunday Tribune

Ntokozo Biyela

Ntokozo Mondli Biyela is a well-known businessman, author, columnist and the premier candidate for Build One South Africa With Mmusi Maimane (BOSA).

Biyela’s dream was to be a dentist, but instead he ended up studying food science and went into business. He participated in Big Break Legacy, a TV reality programme for entrepreneurs. Given the vast number of “defining moments” in his life he decided to pen a book Mindset Shift: Memoirs of an Accidental Entrepreneur.

Mike Mabuyakhulu

Michael Mabuyakhulu is the former MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2023, the ANC veteran was acquitted on charges of corruption relating to the R28 million North Sea Jazz Festival.

He was charged after it came to light his department apparently released money to the event’s service providers, even though the musical extravaganza did not take place. It was alleged that Mabuyakhulu had received a payment of R300 000 from one of the companies involved and the money was paid into his personal account.

At the time of the court case, Mabuyakhulu pulled back from active politics as a result of the ANC’s step-aside rule. However, he was exonerated in 2023 and immediately roped in to bolster the ANC’s election campaign.

Mabuyakhulu was previously implicated in the “Amigos” case which involved allegations of racketeering, corruption and fraud amounting to R144 million in KwaZulu-Natal contracts given in return for “sweeteners”. That case was also dropped.

Maggie Govender

Magesvari "Maggie" Govender is an anti-apartheid activist whose interest in politics started in...