Mmusi Maimane Jacob Zuma

Maimane enjoys a traditional beer during lobola negotiations back in November. (Mmusi Maimane / Twitter)

Makhosi Khoza issues apology, after saying Mmusi Maimane “tries to be black”

Mmusi Maimane tweeted a photo of himself at lobola negotiations, and Makhosi Khoza joined the social media mob who mocked him.

Mmusi Maimane Jacob Zuma

Maimane enjoys a traditional beer during lobola negotiations back in November. (Mmusi Maimane / Twitter)

An unexpected Twitter war broke out over the weekend, and has since concluded with an apology from Makhosi Khoza: The former ANC MP held her hands up after accusing Mmusi Maimane of trying too hard “to be black”.

The DA leader uploaded a photo of himself drinking Umqombothi – a fermented beer – after concluding lobola negotiations with another family. He was ridiculed on social media, with some users attacking him for a “synthetic” display of his heritage.

Makhosi Khoza vs Mmusi Maimane

Khoza joined in with the hecklers, openly mocking Maimane for his actions. The prominent politician has often been taunted over his identity within the DA, and he was at the mercy of his former adversary:

Needless to say, Maimane was not impressed with the ribbing. He denied that he was trying to chase “blackness” in any way, and tweeted back at Khoza, slamming her for playing the game of “the oppressors”:

“Here is the thing, I’m not pursuing blackness, I just am. I’m not pursuing being AFRICAN, I just am. If you are still pursuing, perhaps you can tell us, what you are now? The effort to subjectively determine what it is to be black, is the very tool those who oppress, use.”

What Makhosi Khoza said about Maimane

It would seem his words came with some gravitas. On Monday afternoon, Khoza – who is now part of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) – climbed down from her initial position, and said sorry to Maimane: