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Shimza steadfast on his support for ANC despite Mmusi Maimane’s criticism
Maimane was active on X throughout election day, criticising celebs who support the ANC, with Shimza being his main target.
Mmusi Maimane and DJ Shimza. The politician has attacked Shimza for his support for the ANC. Pictures; mmusimaimane, shimza.dj/Instagram
DJ Shimza was one of the targets of Mmusi Maimane’s salvo of shots aimed at celebrities who made public their endorsement of the ANC, as elections were underway throughout the country.
But the renowned DJ has remained unbothered by this.
“You have sworn at us for a long time, this isn’t the first time. We’re used to it and we don’t care,” wrote Shimza in a tweet, responding to critics of his political choice.
Gale le re roga maan, ha le thome today, re tlwayetse and a re na taba 😊
— SHIMZA (@Shimza01) May 28, 2024
Party leader of Build One South Africa (Bosa) Maimane criticised Shimza after the DJ from Tembisa posted the ruling party’s flag on his X timeline.
Maimane responded to this by describing him as “the biggest beneficiary. DJ Tinstwalo wama tender. You have more tenders than hits,” said the former DA leader in a tweet.
Ur the biggest beneficiary. DJ Tinstwalo wama tender. You have more tenders than hits. https://t.co/ri0LRiC4nq
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
ALSO READ: Mmusi Maimane responds to claims he turned a blind eye to corruption while in the DA
Maimane’s wordplay
Maimane showed some wit in his responses to Shimza, showing off some wordplay.
By using the ‘UR’ instead of correctly writing it out, the Bosa leader was referencing Shimza’s popular rooftop shows, titled U’R [Home].
In another tweet, Maimane placed a screenshot of a 2021 article on the DJ being under investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The investigation was about how Shimza, whose real name is Ashley Raphala, bagged a R150 000 government gig allegedly without tendering for it or being in the department of tourism’s database.
But in posting the article’s screenshot and a photo of Shimza behind the decks next to Fikile Mbalula, he caption his thread: “Athi ngithule” (let me keep quiet).
Athi ngithule. pic.twitter.com/ms9OdoCnK0
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
ALSO READ: Photographers capture Election Day and reflect on the country’s democratic journey
The correct spelling would’ve been ‘Awuthi ngithule’ but he misspelt the first part to reference Athi Geleba, who is Head of Digital Communications in the Presidency, and is also Shimza’s partner.
In another post targeting broadcaster Loot Love, Maimane displayed more tongue in cheek. “Loot Love endorsed a party that loves to loot,” said Maimane’s tweet.
Loot love endorsed a party that loves to loot. https://t.co/IBH6G4V7es
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 28, 2024
He was responding to a now-deleted post by the ANC’s Fikile Mbalula which showed Loot Love encouraging South Africans to cast their vote on election day.
Kaya FM personality Sol Phenduka, who is known for playing around with puns, quipped in response to Maimane to ask if he had somehow written Maimane’s hilarious tweets.
Ngaze ngazisola. https://t.co/joYhLcgf9t
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
Bongo Maffin group member Stoan Seate was also one of Maimane’s victims, with the politician referring to Stoan as the ‘passenger of Bongo Maffin’, insinuating his lack of talent or being the least talented in the ensemble.
Ithini ipassanger yeBongo Muffin? He needs the gig because iphelile imali yamaphepha? https://t.co/ZWL3gpiM3R
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
“He needs the gig because iphelile imali yamaphepha?” quipped Maimane.
The tweet said the muso needs the ANC gig because he’s ran out of money, but ‘imali yamaphepha’ also refers to Bongo Maffin’s classic song, Mari Ye Phepha.
Maimane’s humorous criticism wasn’t lost on social media users who said this is the best version of the politician – with some even considering to give their vote to Bosa.
I wasn't familiar with your game, you might just get a vote😂😂😂 https://t.co/8PXs3Jjask
— Cheapskate of note (@FunkySowetan) May 29, 2024
😭😭😭😭this Mmusi is my favorite Mmusi https://t.co/oSJlSIe6gN
— MOTHER (@Laza_Lurvin) May 29, 2024
After ANC secretary-general Mbalula posted his inked-finger after casting his vote, Maimane mad fun of the politician’s thumbnail, saying it needs some of Tammy Taylor’s products. Tammy Taylor is an international brand that specialises in manicures and nail art treatments.
People were joking about my shoes but hai this nail needs Tammy Taylor and sta soft. I thought Cyril was a new dawn? https://t.co/ZWOtJm4M2e
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
But Maimane’s attacks on Shimza were relentless. Even when casting his vote, Maimane said he is voting to remove Shimza tendencies.
“Today we are voting to remove 30% pass mark from the system. Sikhipha ubuShimza.”
Today we are voting to remove 30% pass mark from the system. Sikhipha ubuShimza. pic.twitter.com/6LyTBC6TLA
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 29, 2024
Music artist Yanga Chief also responded to Shimza’s tweet of himself playing a DJ set in front of a huge crown, which he captioned: “An ANC beneficiary at work”.
We bookmark tweets like this , they always come in handy. https://t.co/H8PboTvmF2
— Yanga (@Yanga_Co) May 29, 2024
Shimza is currently in Europe on tour. While South Africans cast their votes in Mzansi, the Tembisan was at a gig in Darmstadt, Germany, and will be in Skopje, Macedonia, next.
There are a slew of other shows on his itinerary and he is expected back in Mzansi at the end of June.
NOW READ: WATCH: ‘Thabo Mbeki threw me out the line’ – South African comedian on his voting experience
