Celani Sikhakhane
Ngizwe Mchunu, the former uKhozi FM DJ and SABC 1 Roots presenter, has rejected claims that his slogan “Ayikhale” was used to incite violence during the July unrest.
The slogan, which Mchunu says translates loosely as “Let’s do it”, was used as a warcry by looters and protestors across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal following former president Jacob Zuma’s arrest on 7 July.
Mchunu was one of 12 people to be arrested following the widespread civil unrest, which resulted in the deaths of at least 330 people as well as trillions of rands worth of damage.
At Mchunu’s court appearance in July, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) argued that the former DJ’s slogan was an explicit call to arms and accused him of inciting violence.
In recent weeks, the divisive slogan has been hijacked by several political parties in the leadup to November’s local elections. Members of the IFP, EFF, NFP and the ANC have all used the slogan to galvanise crowds on the campaign trail.
Most notably, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa has used the divisive term several times to whip up support.
Inkosi Bhambatha Regional Chairperson Lucky Moloi, an ANC politician, has “Ayikhale” written all over his Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Mchunu responded by questioning why these politicians have not been arrested for inciting violence when they too have adopted the term.
Mchunu said the slogan is powerful but it has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it does not carry any violent message.
“I need to make it clear that the ‘Ayikhale’ does not belong to me but it’s a slang that we use as rural people when we are happy,” he said.
Mchunu’s slogan has also angered some of his clan members, including Minister Senzo Mchunu, who feels he has acted out of line.
