The African National Congress's Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, found himself at the center of social media ridicule after his latest attempt at humor fell flat. As students geared up for the new school term, Mbalula shared a post featuring ANC-themed book cover wraps, hoping to encourage a spirit of preparation among South Africans.
On January 9, 2026, Mbalula tweeted from his @MbalulaFikile account, featuring a roll of brightly colored wrapping paper designed for school books, along with a humorous caption:
"Uzoyitholakanjani ungayi'eskolweni?" which translates to "How will you get it if you don't go to school?"
However, what was meant to be a light-hearted message quickly turned into fodder for online jest as many users took to the comments section to roast the Secretary-General.
Fikile Mbalula's Bold and Colorful Remarks
Mbalula has a history of stirring the pot with his comments. In November 2025, he gained attention for his remarks at an ANC event in Sedibeng, Gauteng, where he took shots at a Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness. Most recently, he urged companies to reconsider requiring work experience from job seekers, aiming to make the job market more accessible.
Netizens Hit Back
The reactions to Mbalula's book cover initiative were swift, as South Africans did not hold back their witty retorts. The comment section became a showcase of sarcasm and humor regarding the potential implications of a child's book adorned with ANC insignia.
One user, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, quipped:
"That child will cheat. He will bribe the teachers. Probably get a feeding scheme tender and never feed his peers. He will probably talk about Mandela when they ask him to give a speech."
Another commenter, Thuli, added:
"After using this cover, your kids will never fail. They will get marks via connections."
Others chimed in, including Qhawe Bomvu, who remarked:
"Imagine covering your child's book with failure, corruption, and incompetence. What future are you projecting?"
Moshe humorously suggested:
"SG, please use these covers for your enrollment in a short course with UNISA."
In a separate incident, Mbalula also faced criticism for sharing his favorite songs, with users urging him to prioritize tackling pressing issues like jobs and healthcare instead of focusing on music.
"Maybe if you focused on the bread and butter issues of ordinary South Africans, such as jobs, healthcare, and home ownership, instead of listening to music, your party wouldn't be suffering in the polls," one user pointed out.
As Mbalula continues to navigate the challenges of political life, his latest social media blunder serves as a reminder of the fine line public figures walk in trying to connect with their constituents.
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