Mantashe’s ‘basking in the sun’ remarks spark backlash, threatening ANC support in 2026 elections

Gwede Mantashe's blunt comments about poor and unemployed South Africans could further undermine the ANC heading into the upcoming local government elections this year.

That is the view of political experts, with others warning that the remarks indicate that South Africans “must choose wisely in the next local government elections”.

Political commentators, labour organisations, and opposition parties have all criticised the remarks made by Mantashe, where he stated that South Africans have become too dependent on the government for everything they seek “while they sit in the sun”.

The ANC national chairperson further stated that South Africans are not actively looking for jobs and expect the government to find them employment.

When asked about the public's reaction to this statement, Mantashe’s office said the minister is busy with the ANC's January 8 celebrations and might not be in a position to comment. An ANC leader defended Mantashe, stating that the overall message was not intended to speak negatively about South Africans.

But South Africans took to social media to criticise the remarks. Senzo Ndlazi posted, “He is crazy. I have seen where a post will be advertised and will get more than 5,000 applications just for one post.” Bra Tshidi said, “Total insult to the unemployed and poor while they swim in unexplained wealth.”

South African Federation of Trade Union leader Zwelinzima Vavi said, “Mantashe is a typical example of the saying — me first, to hell with everyone else. He has truly arrived with his family. He is on top of the roof and is now kicking the ladder.

“He is so insensitive, and his remarks amount to spitting in the face of the unemployed, thanks to the dismally failing economic policies his government has pursued for three decades, often to please the IMF and the World Bank.”

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said, “The remarks were unfortunate, reckless, and provide South Africans with a chance to see Minister Mantashe for who he truly is: a politician who went into politics to serve his own personal interests.

“I hope these remarks serve as a wake-up call for South Africans, particularly the majority who are not exercising their voting rights and power. The ANC government is not the future of South Africa. They have misled and betrayed us for the last 31 years,” he said.

Political commentator Makhosini Mgitywa said the minister should not have spoken in such a manner. “There’s everything wrong when that is said by a minister. It suggests that there are jobs available and it is only jobseekers who aren't coming to the party. That's both insensitive and pedestrian. We all see thousands of young people in long queues to apply for a few dozen jobs that come up from time to time.

“People actively looking for jobs cannot create non-existent jobs.”

Dr Lumkile Mondi, an economist and senior lecturer at Wits University, said in an interview this reflects how alienated Mantashe is from the masses of South Africa, and this is cheap coming from the minister. “It is the ANC government, due to the political choices that they made, which created this dependency.”

He said such a statement could undermine the ANC, and even worse, as the party battles to deliver services. “This statement tells people to choose wisely, especially heading into the local government elections. It tells people to please make the right choices in ensuring that you have a government that makes things work.”

An ANC member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the point of Mantashe’s message had been missed. “He is elderly, and as he approaches retirement, he is likely to express himself in such terms. The overall message of that interview was that the ANC has delivered in terms of houses, water, and electricity; it has delivered more than some governments in the works.

“While there might be an issue with the comments being perceived as arrogant, we cannot run away from the fact that, for instance, unemployment is a moving target with more young people coming out of university every year. So how can we deal with that? Young people should start exploring social entrepreneurship and starting businesses to thrive,” said the ANC leader in KwaZulu-Natal.

But another member in the youth structures said the comments are irresponsible. “It is the government’s responsibility to foster job creation by building state capacity and creating an environment conducive to investment and entrepreneurship. South African youth are not lazy or simply waiting for handouts; they are desperate for opportunities, and many are actively seeking work despite the odds.

“The claim that young people “don’t look for jobs themselves” is not backed by evidence. In fact, recent incidents prove the opposite. For example, when the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health opened applications for data-capturer posts, over 36,000 candidates tried to log in for an online assessment.

“Such remarks risk alienating young voters and unemployed citizens by suggesting their struggles are of their own making. We’ve already seen pushback on social media, with many calling the comments out of touch with the daily hardships faced by millions.

“This backlash should be a wake-up call. It highlights the disconnect that can exist between some senior leaders and the youth on the ground,” the member concluded.

THE MERCURY