Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has come under fire for calling South Africans “lazy people who wait for service delivery,” a remark that has triggered widespread backlash from political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a community event in Mpumalanga on Monday, Mantashe criticised what he described as a growing dependency on government.
“South Africans are lazy people who wait for service delivery. We are always demanding, always complaining, but never doing,” he said. “If you want change, you must be part of it. Not everything should come from government.”
The remarks, captured on video and shared widely on social media, were quickly condemned by opposition parties and civil society organisations, many of whom accused the ANC veteran of being out of touch with the struggles of millions.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) slammed the comments as “insulting and reckless,” with spokesperson Solly Malatsi stating, “Instead of taking responsibility for poor governance, Minister Mantashe is blaming the victims of the state’s incompetence.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joined the criticism, demanding an apology. “It is the height of arrogance for a minister who has failed to ensure energy stability to insult the very people he is mandated to serve,” the party said in a statement.
Civil society voices added to the outrage. Nomvula Mokoena from the Public Service Accountability Forum said, “Calling people lazy while they queue daily for basic services is both inaccurate and dehumanising. Millions of South Africans live without clean water, electricity, or adequate housing.”
In response, Mantashe defended his remarks, saying his intention was to promote self-reliance.
“My message is simple: our people must move from being passive recipients to active participants in development,” he said.
Despite this clarification, pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond. Critics say Mantashe’s comments reflect a deeper disconnect between government leaders and the lived realities of ordinary citizens.
The controversy has reignited debates about leadership accountability, tone, and the government’s role in addressing the ongoing challenges of poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment in post-apartheid South Africa.