Tumisho Masha’s real-life role as a firebrand

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandActor Tumisho Masha speaks on how speaking about politics affected his career. Picture: Supplied Story audio is generated using AI

Tumisho Masha has gained legions of fans playing characters such as Dumisani from Isidingo, Jackson from Isibaya and Phil from Champions — but has angered many others for his no-holds-barred political views.

Last month he faced public backlash for referring to EFF Johannesburg mayoral candidate Tlaleng Mofokeng as a “straatmeit” — a derogatory Afrikaans term — on social media.

And this week he was in hot water for posting a photo of his thumb and his ballot paper, which showed he had voted for ActionSA. Taking photos of marked ballot papers is illegal, according to IEC regulations, and can carry a fine or imprisonment for up to a year.

“I won’t keep quiet. I won’t stop talking,” he told the Sunday Times this week. ”I care very deeply about South Africa.”

He admitted that his straight talk has cost him work. “People are having conversations in boardrooms, not wanting to use me in television and films because they say that I’m outspoken. They say that it could harm their personal brands.”

On social media, he has frequently expressed his opposition to illegal immigration, slamming Julius Malema and other EFF leaders over their stance on border control and municipal governance.

Last month he posted a public video message directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa, questioning the government’s level of urgency regarding violent crime and community safety.

My mother has been sworn at by members and supporters of the EFF. I’ve been sworn at. Every family member of mine has basically been sworn at

“I’ve always been vocal, even before we had social media. When South Africa goes through a tough time, I feel it very deeply and find it hard not to say anything,” Masha said.

“How can I now turn my back on people I’m just a generation from? They cry that these low-paying jobs are paying lower because we have poor people who come from other countries, squeezing them out of the job market because they are willing to get paid less.

“It’s been quite a road. It’s cost me a lot. But I cannot watch things happening in my country and not say anything.”

He said his comments had attracted “vitriol” from EFF members and their supporters. “I did ask some hard questions of their leadership. But we have a constitution that protects us when we criticise EFF leadership or any party’s leadership.”

Masha said Malema “likes to do the questioning, but he doesn’t like to be questioned on what he’s done. His alleged corruption, his latest conviction, his leadership style. It’s a bit like a dictatorship. That is a value system that has permeated the entire party.

“My mother has been sworn at by members and supporters of the EFF. I’ve been sworn at. Every family member of mine has basically been sworn at. That is an intimidation tactic of harassing you on social media and hoping that you cower.”

He says his support for ActionSA is not “guaranteed for life”.

“They will get the same heat from me if they start running Johannesburg and run it badly.

“Between the ANC, the DA and the EFF … they’ve done a terrible job of it. For me, it’s important that people vote those three political parties out, so we can send a strong message to all political parties that your time to govern is not guaranteed. It is at the whim of people who will vote you in, or vote you out. To make a statement to all political parties that they are not guaranteed seats if they do not do the work.”

Masha said he is determined to continue speaking up on matters that affect his country.

“Being a big public figure comes with a lot of responsibility. Even though things might cost me work, if I don’t speak up for the people of this country, then why am I a public figure? What do I stand for? How am I doing right by the people of this country? And if I don’t speak up for them, they must stop watching my shows.”

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