‘MySol is a solid entrepreneur’: Mbalula steps in as Malema and mining tycoon clash

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandSecretary-general of the ANC Fikile Mbalula has defended North West mining tycoon Solomon ‘MySol’ Madibela after EFF leader Julius Malema launched an attack against him. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Story audio is generated using AI

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has come to the defence of North West mining tycoon Solomon “MySol” Madibela, calling him a “solid entrepreneur” after EFF leader Julius Malema launched an attack against him.

Speaking to supporters at a party rally at Letlhabile Stadium outside Brits in the North West on Saturday, Malema labelled MySol a “small boy”, and called on local mines to serve the community rather than enrich the businessman.

“These mines will service our people,” Malema said. “These mines will not service MySol. MySol se foot. I will repeat, MySol se foot. You must tell him that he’s a small boy to me.

“I’m not scared of boys who go around butchering mines. I’m not scared of boys who think they’ve got money; here, it’s a park station. He must go around and ask about me. I don’t play with chancers who play in small towns. I’ll put you in your place.”

This was not the first time Malema targeted MySol, having previously questioned the source of his wealth.

Malema’s latest comments follow claims MySol made on an episode of the Podcast and Chill network, where he alleged that a certain political party leader hated him after he declined an invitation to the party’s gala dinner.

“I don’t want to help any political party,” MySol said at the time, adding that he is not affiliated with any political organisation. “Some of these political parties even go to the clients to say, ‘Why don’t you terminate his work?’”

Following Malema’s remarks, screenshots of WhatsApp statuses allegedly posted by MySol circulated on social media. In those posts, MySol reportedly called Malema a “small boy”, and mocked his appearance, telling him to eat pap and milk to get proper nutrition.

Addressing the friction between the two, Mbalula took to X to say he would reach out to Malema to understand the dispute and resolve it.

“MySol is a solid SA entrepreneur. Whatever the fight is about, I will reach out to Julius to understand. Let’s settle this amicably,” Mbalula wrote.

Although MySol maintained he is politically unaligned, he was seen campaigning alongside Mbalula and other ANC officials at the party’s January 8th celebrations in Madibeng earlier this year.

“As the community of Madibeng, we love the ANC,” MySol said at the event. “We just ask the leadership to remember us and improve the lives of the people in Madibeng.”

He added, “people don’t understand why I love the ANC. The ANC has fought a battle. Today, we are able to participate alongside big companies and are given opportunities. Everything has its shortfalls, but it is for us to talk to our leadership to fix their shortcomings and do better. Let’s vote for the ANC.”

At the same event, Mbalula thanked MySol, praising him as a positive example for Africans for keeping his roots in mind through his business success. He even joked about asking MySol to lend him one of his luxury cars for a weekend.

“He got himself into business through the opportunities provided by our democracy, but he doesn’t forget where he comes from. We are proud of you as an African,” Mbalula said.

“When we see you driving around in your cars… white people think all black people are thieves. I’m so happy with your cars, even if you can just give me one or lend it to me for a weekend.”

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