Mcebo Dlamini

Mcebo Dlamini is an Swazi-born South African politician who was one of the prominent leaders of the #FeesMustFall protests in South Africa which led to a conversation on the introduction of free tertiary education for the poor, mainly black students, in the country.[6]

Mcebo Dlamini
Born (1986-12-17) 17 December 1986[1]
Mbabane, Swaziland[2][3][4][5]
NationalitySwazi
Alma materUniversity of Witwatersrand
OccupationPolitician
Known for#FeesMustFall
Political partyAfrican National Congress
MovementSouth African Students Congress

Sisulu lineage claims

While a student at the University of the Witwatersrand, 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
  1. "The Rise and Fall of Mcebo Dlamini | Madibaz Radio". Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  2. "Student leader Dlamini might flee to Swaziland, court hears".
  3. "BREAKING: Student leader Mcebo Dlamini denied bail".
  4. "The Rise and Fall of Mcebo Dlamini | Madibaz Radio". Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. https://www.pressreader.com/swaziland/sunday-observer/20150510/282329678508528
  6. Habib, Adam (4 May 2015). "Mcebo Dlamini no longer SRC president or member". Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  7. Manala, Thabile (1 June 2014). "Wits student known as a Sisulu finally admits to lying". Wits Vuvuzela. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  8. "I love Hitler as he starved white people – Dlamini". The Citizen. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  9. 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.
  10. "SRC president unapologetic about love for Hitler". News24. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  11. "Israel: BDS campaign is both divisive and malicious – NEWS & ANALYSIS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  12. "Mcebo Dlamini gets suspended sentence for violence, weighs options". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  13. "'Tired' Mcebo Dlamini pleads guilty but avoids jail time". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 10 March 2020.


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