Former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu has lost his ambassadorial role with JAC Motors South Africa, as the company has given him 24 hours to return his sponsored vehicle.
This decision comes in the wake of Mchunu’s transition from being South Africa’s beloved figure, for his support of former President Jacob Zuma, to facing criticism on social media due to his comments about Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, and his party earlier this month.
The EFF had called for JAC Motors to withdraw its sponsorship with Mchunu following his controversial remarks, and the brand has indeed terminated its relationship with the former Ukhozi FM DJ.
Chief Operations Officer Sicelo Nyandeni of JAC Motors Port Shepstone expressed their condemnation of Mchunu’s tribalistic and divisive utterances and stated, “Every citizen has the right to live anywhere in South Africa and to freely commute across provinces without prior approval.”
Mchunu’s video, in which he criticized Malema’s remarks about the Springboks, went viral on social media.
In the video, Mchunu claimed that the Springboks symbolize white supremacy and suggested that Malema should launch the EFF party manifesto in Limpopo, where the party originates from, instead of KwaZulu-Natal.
He further criticized Malema for addressing Zulu people in English, stating, “You are a leader who can’t speak IsiZulu, the only language you know is English, what a leader are you?”
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Malema had previously voiced his opposition to the Springboks, stating that the emblem and jersey represent white supremacy and apartheid. He refused to support anything that undermines black people and called for the removal of the name “Springboks” and the colors associated with apartheid.
Mchunu, on the other hand, rebuked Malema for criticizing the Springboks in English, which he referred to as “the language of apartheid.”
Following the backlash, Mchunu unconditionally apologized for the comments he made on 23 December.
