Critics slam Mbalula’s lavish yacht arrival at Robben Island ANC event

Cape Town – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula faced criticism after he arrived at a Robben Island event aboard a luxury yacht, overshadowing a commemoration honouring political prisoners.

According to a Times Live report, Mbalula sparked controversy among party leaders during the ANC’s 113th anniversary celebrations in Cape Town last week by arriving at Robben Island on the extravagant yacht.

ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula is facing criticism after reportedly arriving at Robben Island on a lavish yacht owned by businessman Fernando Acafrao, instead of the museum ferry Sikhululekile, used by other party leaders and guests. Political analyst Sandile Swana… pic.twitter.com/Ma70vOrLCm

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 12, 2025

While other leaders used modest transport, Mbalula’s opulent arrival drew criticism for its insensitivity to the event’s solemn purpose and South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, IOL reported.

According to the report, Mbalula has faced criticism before for his lavish lifestyle.

He previously sparked outrage by campaigning in a R4 million bulletproof G-Wagon in Amaoti, a community plagued by poverty, it said.

In response, Mbalula brushed off the backlash as a “side show,” arguing that transport choices should not define a person and urging the public to focus on more significant political matters.

Take a look at some of the reactions on social media:

This is nonsense. Who rode the boat? Did @MbalulaFikile not see he is in a private yacht? Just face it. @MYANC is not interested in ending poverty and inequality. Their SH was on brand. It is about eating for them. Period! https://t.co/otsg5xdfMn

— #bundleofjoy (@zangazulugirl) January 13, 2025

Mbalula is a man of opulence. Malema once told us that he is a celebrity, not a politician. Remember, he even threw t-shirts to community members from a G-Wagon! https://t.co/muf9Af66vd

— Corruption-Hater 🦅🇿🇦🦁 (@MadiBoity) January 12, 2025

So we can expect Mbalula’s resignation soon? What with him arriving on Robben Island with a yacht?

— Petru J Viljoen (@PetruViljoen) January 13, 2025

Hours after VP Paul Mashatile tells the poor and impoverished in Khayelitsha and surrounds how the ANC really shares their pain and cares for them, wanna be celeb dingbat Mbalula rocks up fashionably late in a lux pvt yacht at Robben Island to celebrate the ANC’s anniversary…

— Brett Ben Raphael (@Brettbenraphael) January 13, 2025

The @MYANC booked @MbalulaFikile on a luxury yacht and the rest on a ferry and he didn’t ask why he was traveling separately to them? How did the ANC book this yatch?

— servicelessjhb (@Sanush28) January 12, 2025