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Articles by Mbali Ntuli
Local elections 2026: How do you choose who to vote for?
Local elections are about more than party loyalty: scrutinise candidates, understand the job and decide what accountability should look like five years from now. Mbali Ntuli is the founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective. Opinion This article is an Opinion, which presents the writer's personal point of view. The views expressed are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Daily Maverick. I get asked a lot who people should vote for.
Young South Africans see election day as just another day
For millions of young South Africans, election day has quietly become a day like any other. They register in smaller numbers than their parents. They trust the institutions running the vote less. And many have concluded that casting a ballot changes nothing in their daily lives. As parties fan out across the country ahead of the local government elections on 4 November, the largest bloc of eligible voters may be the one no party can campaign for: the No Vote party.
Asikwazi ukuthula kungena amanzi endlini ngesithunzi sesizwe
Mbali Ntuli|Published 38 minutes ago UMA iNdlunkulu izoqhubeka nokwaziwa ngamahlazo nokwahluleka ukuzilungisa, esikhundleni sokusebenzela isizwe, uZulu uzothunazeka kuphele nya ukuhlonishwa kwalesi sizwe sethu esabunjwa yiLembe eminyakeni engamakhulu amabili edlule Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/ANA STUDIO ANGIFUNISELI ngengiyikho! NgingumZulu futhi ngiyazidla ngobuzwe bami. Leli yifa lami elibe yingxenye yokukhula kwami.
Asikwazi ukuthula kungena amanzi endlini ngesithunzi sesizwe
Mbali Ntuli|Published 51 minutes ago UMA iNdlunkulu izoqhubeka nokwaziwa ngamahlazo nokwahluleka ukuzilungisa, esikhundleni sokusebenzela isizwe, uZulu uzothunazeka kuphele nya ukuhlonishwa kwalesi sizwe sethu esabunjwa yiLembe eminyakeni engamakhulu amabili edlule Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/ANA STUDIO ANGIFUNISELI ngengiyikho! NgingumZulu futhi ngiyazidla ngobuzwe bami. Leli yifa lami elibe yingxenye yokukhula kwami.
Beyond Steenhuisen's exit: The deeper problems facing the DA
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DA’s Steenhuisen moment was entirely predictable, but its leadership crisis does not end here
It is no secret that I have strong personal views about John Steenhuisen. The reasons are publicly well known and, I should add, entirely earned. That aside, I understand why so many people want me to weigh in on his expected announcement. South African politics has developed a taste for the salacious. We like the spectacle. We enjoy watching power unravel. I get that. But since people are expecting me to say something, let me use this moment to say what actually matters.
MBALI NTULI | Beyond the scandal: What the Steenhuisen moment reveals about the DA
It is no secret I have strong personal views about John Steenhuisen. The reasons are publicly well known and, I should add, entirely earned. That aside, I understand why so many people want me to weigh in on his expected announcement. Those following South African politics have developed a taste for the salacious. We like the spectacle. We enjoy watching power unravel. I get that. It was widely anticipated Steenhuisen would announce he will not recontest leadership of the DA.
NFP suspends KZN MEC Mbali Shinga for defying party directive
Mbali Shinga, the NFP’s KwaZulu-Natal PEC chairperson and MEC for Social Development, has been suspended for three months following alleged defiance of party instructions during a legislature vote Image: Mbali Ntuli / X The National Freedom Party (NFP) has suspended its KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Committee chairperson, Mbali Shinga, with immediate effect. Shinga also serves as the MEC for Social Development in the provincial government.
South Africa: As Democracy Wanes Across the Globe, Election Observers Play a Pivotal Role
analysis Election observation serves as a cornerstone of democratic governance, promoting transparency, accountability and public confidence in electoral processes worldwide. There has been much ado about election observers in the past couple of weeks, with some views taking bizarrely comical turns, as has become common in any electoral season in South Africa.
Election observers pivotal in upholding poll integrity
There has been much ado about election observers in the past couple of weeks, with some views taking bizarrely comical turns, as has become common in any electoral season in South Africa. The undeniable truth, however, is that election observation (a long-standing international and local practice) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, transparency and fairness of electoral processes worldwide.
Eight good reasons to register to vote
TUESDAY GUEST EDITORIAL As the Electoral Commission of South Africa gears up for voter registration weekend, it is imperative to emphasise the pivotal role of registering to vote, and more critically, using the act of registering as the starting point on a journey towards the robust and sustained civic action and participation needed from all citizens, in order to protect and preserve our democracy. The work starts NOW, but continues after the 2024 general elections.
OPINIONISTA: Childhood stunting and malnutrition are critical health challenges for SA
Mbali Ntuli is the founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective. The prevalence of childhood stunting in South Africa is alarmingly high, with around 27% of children under five years of age affected, meaning that these children will likely not reach their full growth and developmental potential. Childhood stunting and malnutrition remain critical public health challenges in South Africa, affecting the physical and cognitive development of millions of young children.
Engaged youth vital if SA is to be turned around
Disillusionment is rife, but some have shown the way to meaningful change 18 June 2023 - 00:00 Democratic participation is a vital aspect of any thriving society, serving as a foundation for political stability, social progress and unlocking individual liberty and empowerment.
Mbali Ntuli | Determined and united, African youth brought about change. SA youth have the same power
Tunisia, Senegal and Zambia are all countries where the political landscape changed, after young Africans rallied together, engaged in grassroots movements, and exercised their democratic rights to effect a leadership change. SA youth also have that power, writes Mbali Ntuli.
Mbali Ntuli | Civic education is the backbone of strong democracies
An informed citizenry is less susceptible to manipulation, misinformation, and demagoguery exhibited by opportunists in the political systems across the world, writes Mbali Ntuli. In today's exceedingly complex and fractured world, the foundation of a thriving democracy lies in the hands of an informed and engaged citizenry. This is particularly true for South Africa.
OPINIONISTA: The current political system and parties have failed us — we must change from the bottom up
South Africans like myself are becoming more and more disillusioned by political parties and the current political systems that govern them.
Mbali Ntuli | Community leaders are the spine of our country, picking up where govt has failed | News24
Abahlali baseMjondolo deputy president, Mqapheli Bonono (with raised fist) celebrating with ABM supporters outside the Durban Magistrates’s Court after being released on bail. Community leaders and ordinary citizens are the spine of this country, often stepping in with sheer grit and determination to uplift where government and elected leaders have failed dismally. it is time civil society took its power back, writes Mbali Ntuli.
OPINIONISTA: Insiders and outsiders: The politicisation of the DA disciplinary processes
There has been much analysis of the DA’s problems over the last few years. Much of it has only been able to produce half-truths. This is mostly due to the party’s preoccupation with feigning unity at the expense of having the difficult conversations that must be had. Much of the most recent analysis paints a picture of a purging of senior black members.
Business needs to lead regeneration of ethical, dynamic state
We live in an age where we seem to conceptualise the SA economy as this broadly abstract Keynesian paradigm which is separate from the lived reality of our existence. That glosses over the inconvenience of our working poor, while hoping somehow that the same old recycled platitudes expressed ad infinitum in the medium term expenditure framework will eventually cause our woes to magically evaporate into the ether.
MBALI NTULI: Business needs to lead the regeneration of an ethical and dynamic state
We live in an age where we seem to conceptualise the South African economy as this broadly abstract Keynesian paradigm which is separate from the lived reality of our existence. That glosses over the inconvenience of our working poor, while hoping somehow that the same old recycled platitudes expressed ad infinitum in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework will eventually cause our woes to magically evaporate into the ether.
OPINIONISTA: Why I am challenging John Steenhuisen to a public debate
Publicly televised debates should become an intrinsic part of our political party culture. In a country where politicians operate from the shadows and closely guard public access to their theatre of operations, the Democratic Alliance should invite the people in, for this is the very thing that keeps politics open and honest. Democracy dies in darkness. It dies when we do not hold it open or when we are complacent and do not demand it to continually be kept transparent.
Mbali Ntuli | More day zeroes are coming – we need to hold leaders accountable over climate change | News24
Mbali Ntuli addresses the media on her candidacy for the DA leadership. Papi Morake, Gallo Images There are more day zeroes coming. We know this, the science is clear. We have had a foretaste of what is to come. It is now up to our leaders to ensure we are prepared for it, argues Mbali Ntuli, candidate for leadership of the DA. In January 2018 the DA-run City of Cape Town was beset by the Day Zero water crisis.
Why is the customary marriage act at odds with actual customs?
Amanda Masote and Xolani Kubheka's wedding. Picture: Supplied I have to say I was somewhat surprised by the HHP judgment (specifically Lerato Sengadi vs Robert Tsambo) . The #HHP judgment is not what I understand the practice of lobola (dowry) to be or to signify. Ilobolo is the agreed to bride amount as negotiated between two families. To lobola somebody basically means to get officially engaged in the traditional way and to have it recognized as such by both families.
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