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Mmusi Maimane: 12 Things About First Black Leader Of South Africa’s Largest Opposition Party

Mmusi Maimane: 12 Things About First Black Leader Of South Africa’s Largest Opposition Party

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Mmusi Maimane is the ever first black leader of Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s biggest opposition party, that is widely considered a white peoples party. Maimane was elected to lead the party on May 10, 2016, succeeding Hellen Zille, one of the nation’s legendary politicians.

Below are 12 things to know about Maimane.

Sources; BizNews.com, News24, The Independent, Mail & Guardian, All 4 Women, The News Hub, Eyewitness News, Time, Sunday Times

Image: buzzsouthafrica.com
Image: buzzsouthafrica.com

He is a religious leader

He is a pastor with Liberty Church in Cosmo City, north of Johannesburg. It is one of the most conservative churches in the Rainbow nation, and strongly opposes gay rights. Before his entry into politics, Maimane was preaching on a full-time basis but has since devoted much of his time to politics.

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bet.com

Homophobic allegations

In 2014, a video went viral showing Maimane referring to gays and Muslims as sinners and sick. He defended himself against the homophobic claims, sayings that he considers himself part of the circle as he is a sinner just like his Muslim and gay friends.

Image: timeslive.co.za
Image: timeslive.co.za

How he got his name

He got the name ‘Mmusi’ from his grandmother. It means governor or leader in the Tswana language.

Mmusi Maimane, new leader of South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance Photo: cnn.com/Getty
Mmusi Maimane, new leader of South Africa’s main opposition Democratic Alliance
Photo: cnn.com/Getty

He courts controversial

As a pastor, Maimane has stirred controversy due to his stands that contradict the conservative nature of his church on gays. On May 2015, he tweeted ‘I’ve always supported gay rights & always will. We’re all equal. I celebrated my friends’ wedding as a witness.’ He went on to say that his church does not prescribe to the laws of the nation.

Image: connect.citizen.co.za
Image: connect.citizen.co.za

He’s been compared to US President Barrack Obama

Maimane’s good looks, charisma and dynamic speaking style have earned him comparisons to US President, Barack Obama when he was campaigning ahead of his historic election as president in 2008. In May 2016, Twitter and Facebook users in South Africa compared him to the late Nelson Mandela.

Image: zalebs.com
Image: zalebs.com

His favorite television show

Maimane likes Isidingo (The Need), a South African soap opera, which airs on national television, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The programme was renamed Isidingo in 2001.

Thinkstock
Thinkstock

He’s a coffee junkies

Maimane likes black coffee with no sugar.

Image: incwajana.com
Image: incwajana.com

He’s an upcoming political firebrand

Maimane does not shy from making politically fiery statements. In the run-up to the Municipal Elections in August 2016, he told his supporters that voting for the ruling ANC means supporting corruption, while a vote for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will plunge the country into chaos like neighboring Zimbabwe. In 2015, he described President Jacob Zuma, ‘as a broken man, presiding over a broken society.’

Image: iol.co.za
Image: iol.co.za

He’s suffered racial abuses

In 2015, Maimane was racially abused by a white lady after he hit her car’s bumper along a Johannesburg road. His attempts to apologize were met with racial slurs by the livid lady.

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He’s a Kaizer Chiefs fan

Maimane supports Kaizer Chiefs, one of the nation’s most decorated clubs. He started supporting the club from a tender age and decorated his school books with their pictures.

Image: buzzsouthafrica.com
Image: buzzsouthafrica.com

Political ridicule

Members of the ANC refer to Maimane as ‘Moruti wa Tosti’ (Crooked priest). They draw the name from his pastoral roots.

Image: enca.com
Image: enca.com

He’s commendable soccer player

He was a skillful midfielder, playing for Ontario, a club in the nation’s lower amateur leagues. At school, Maimane played football with his class mates during lunch-break and after school. He nicknamed himself ‘16V’, which was one of the nicknames given to Doctor Khumalo, one of Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana (national team) greatest players.

Image: timeslive.co.za
Image: timeslive.co.za

He was raised as a catholic

Maimane’s parents were Catholics. He attended St Angela’s Primary School, which was sponsored by the Catholic Church, in Dobsonville. In his mid-teenage years, he started attending Saturday classes and Christianity-based youths. He later left the Catholic faith. He stopped playing football on Sundays due to his commitment to his new faith.