MK Party MP Gezani “Papa Penny” Kobane has responded to criticism after struggling with English during a recent parliamentary committee meeting on sports, arts, and culture. The musician-turned-politician, who has no formal education, faced online backlash for his difficulty articulating questions about financial mismanagement at the South African Football Association (Safa).
Kobane explained to TimesLIVE that he had originally prepared his questions in his native Tsonga language, which were then translated for the session. “The issue isn’t that I can’t speak English – it’s simply not my home language. I’m not English,” he stated firmly.
The public figure, known for his vibrant personality and music career, challenged the notion that parliamentary participation requires English fluency. “I don’t have to speak perfect English because I’m not English. There’s nothing wrong with preferring my own language,” Kobane asserted.
Moving forward, the MP plans to conduct parliamentary business exclusively in Tsonga and expects the institution to provide translation services. “I’ll speak my language in future meetings. We have 11 official languages – why shouldn’t I use mine?” he questioned.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about language accessibility in South Africa’s parliament. While some social media users criticized Kobane’s appointment, others defended his right to participate in his mother tongue, highlighting constitutional provisions for multilingualism.
Political analysts note this case tests parliament’s capacity to accommodate all official languages equally. As Kobane prepares for future sessions, his stance may prompt institutional changes in how translation services are implemented for MPs preferring indigenous languages over English.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between colonial language traditions and South Africa’s linguistic diversity, with Kobane’s case becoming a flashpoint in debates about representation and accessibility in the country’s highest legislative body.