“You’re deranged” — Fikile Mbalula lashes out at critic online

Sports commentator Joseph Bertrand took to social media to express his frustration after South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, celebrated their latest victory. In a post shared on his Twitter handle, Bertrand said he was “over the moon at the final whistle,” but that his joy quickly turned to anger when he saw a politician join the players and technical team on the pitch, celebrating as though he were part of the squad.

“I was over the moon at the final whistle – and five seconds later furious, seeing a politician on the pitch dancing with the Bafana players and technical team like he was part of it,” Bertrand wrote. “Then the team manager that messed up hugely tells people to be quiet. We say this every game and nothing changes: politicians should do politics, administrators should administrate. The players and coaches earned this – no one else.”

His remarks quickly sparked debate online, drawing a sharp response from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who quoted Bertrand’s post and accused him of hypocrisy. “I think you’re deranged,” Mbalula replied. “When things don’t go right, politicians must be blamed, even though most of the time they take responsibility even for things which are not of their making — and that is called accountability. When it’s time to celebrate, politicians must be isolated — is that not hypocrisy?”

The exchange has since gone viral, with South Africans divided on the issue. Some sided with Bertrand, arguing that sporting achievements belong to the players and coaching staff, not politicians seeking publicity. Others defended Mbalula, saying leaders have a right to celebrate national victories, especially when they’ve supported the team financially and administratively.

The incident has reignited a broader conversation about the intersection between politics and sport in South Africa — a debate that seems to resurface with every major tournament.

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