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Two more MPs shown the door by MK Party
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has expelled Members of Parliament Pumlani Kubukeli and Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala with immediate effect, accusing the pair of conduct that damaged the party’s reputation and undermined its unity and organisational discipline.
The decision was announced on Thursday by the party’s national spokesperson, Sifiso Mahlangu, who said the termination of their memberships followed what the party described as a series of actions that were detrimental to the organisation.
“The decision follows a series of acts and conduct attributed to the two members which, in the determination of the Party leadership, have been detrimental to the good name, reputation, integrity and interests of the organisation,” Mahlangu said.
According to the party, the conduct attributed to Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala had also “undermined the unity and organisational discipline of the Party”.
The MK Party said the decision was taken under the executive authority of the office of party president Jacob Zuma, in terms of Section 7(2)(h) of the party’s constitution. The provision gives the president the power to establish, restructure, appoint or remove organisational structures and deployees in the interests of the party and its strategic direction.
Parliamentary seats now under threat
The expulsion could also bring an end to the pair’s tenure in the National Assembly.
Mahlangu said the party’s secretary-general had written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to formally communicate the decision and begin the process for their removal from Parliament.
“Following the termination of their membership, the Party’s Secretary-General has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to formally communicate the decision and to initiate the necessary process for their subsequent removal from the National Assembly,” he said.
The move means the party has not only terminated their membership but has also taken formal steps towards having them removed as MPs.
Another major shake-up inside the MK Party
The expulsions come amid a period of significant instability and restructuring within the MK Party, which has seen several prominent figures lose their positions or leave the organisation altogether.
Earlier this month, Zuma announced sweeping changes to the party’s leadership, including the appointment of his son, Duduzane Zuma, as first deputy president. Former national chairperson Nathi Nhleko was replaced, while Dr John Hlophe was relieved of his position as first deputy president but remained the party’s parliamentary leader.
Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala themselves were among senior figures who had recently held influential positions within the party’s structures. Their removal therefore marks another dramatic development in a series of leadership changes that have unfolded within the organisation in recent months.
Expulsions follow earlier removals
The MK Party has already expelled other high-profile members this year, including Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
The party previously accused the pair of conduct that undermined organisational unity, discipline and recognised leadership structures. Their expulsions followed growing tensions and public disputes within the party.
While the MK Party has presented the latest expulsions as part of its efforts to protect organisational discipline, the rapid turnover of senior leaders has intensified attention on the party’s internal dynamics ahead of South Africa’s upcoming local government elections.
Mahlangu said the organisation remained committed to unity and discipline.
“The MK reiterates its commitment to organisational unity, discipline and integrity,” he said.
“All members and structures are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Party Constitution in the interests of unity and comradeship.”
Despite the abrupt termination of their memberships, the party said its leadership wished Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala well.
“The office of the President wishes Mr Kubukeli and Dr Litchfield-Tshabalala well in their future endeavours,” Mahlangu said.
Economy
Kimberley’s Benjie makes history with MasterChef SA win and R1 million prize
Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin has cooked his way into South African television history after being crowned the winner of MasterChef South Africa Season 6.
The 40-year-old home cook from Kimberley in the Northern Cape beat Durban finalist Candice Meth in the tense finale on Sunday, 16 August, walking away with the coveted title and a R1 million cash prize. His victory also made him the first contestant from the Northern Cape to win the competition.
For Benjie, the achievement was about far more than winning a reality television competition.
“I thought I wouldn’t even make it past episode two,” he admitted, crediting his wife for encouraging him to remain in the competition and take it “one episode at a time”.
He said the victory was particularly meaningful because of what it could represent for his family and people from his home province.
“There was a time when I thought that I wouldn’t make it even past episode two,” Benjamin said. “My wife encouraged me to stay on there.”
From high-voltage lines to the MasterChef kitchen
Benjie’s journey is unusual because cooking is not his full-time profession.
The Kimberley-born contestant works in high-voltage electrical line maintenance, dealing with hazardous electricity transmission lines, while cooking has remained a passion outside his day job.
He entered the competition alongside 19 other home cooks and quickly established himself as one of the contestants to watch.
Benjie earned his first Dish of the Day in only the second episode and went on to win seven challenges before reaching the final. One of those victories gave him a valuable 10-minute advantage for the final cook.
Throughout the competition, judges and fellow contestants affectionately nicknamed him “Benjie Baby”.
His playful approach to food also became part of his identity on the show. One of his standout creations was a sophisticated take on two-minute noodles, which he transformed into “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”.
Judge Chef Katlego Mlambo reportedly named it her favourite Benjie dish of the season, while a lamb pie also impressed London-based guest judge Chef Nokx Majozi.
A high-pressure finale
The final challenge saw Benjie go head-to-head with 39-year-old Candice Meth in a two-hour cook-off.
The finalists were tasked with creating a three-course meal that reflected their journeys throughout the competition.
Benjie prepared pan-fried salmon with leeks and white wine sauce as his starter, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and red wine jus.
For dessert, he served meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
The pressure was intense, particularly when his decision to bake the apples to intensify their flavour cost him precious time.
But he managed to complete his menu before the clock ran out.
Judges impressed by his final menu
Benjie had already been regarded as a strong contender, but his final performance ultimately convinced the judges that he deserved the title.
Ahead of the final cook, judge Justine Drake described him as a “dark horse”, while Zola Nene called him “laser-focused”.
His final dishes continued to impress.
The judges praised the execution of his salmon, while his pork belly stood out for its balance of flavours.
Nene went as far as describing the main course as something that could be seen “in a fine-dining restaurant”.
That combination of technical ability, creativity and composure ultimately gave Benjie the edge over Meth.
A victory for the Northern Cape
Benjie’s win has also become a source of pride for the Northern Cape, shining a spotlight on the province’s food traditions and homegrown culinary talent.
The new champion hopes his journey will encourage other people from the province to believe in their own abilities.
“We can make great food and compete with the best in the rest of the country,” he said.
He pointed to the diversity of the province, mentioning communities including Roodepan, Springbok, De Aar, Kuruman and the Kalahari as places with their own flavours and cooking traditions.
“Hopefully, my journey gives people the confidence to express themselves in the kitchen, too,” he said.
What’s next for Benjie?
Despite winning R1 million and becoming South Africa’s newest MasterChef, Benjie is not rushing to abandon his career.
He has said he still loves his day job and believes there is room for both his electrical work and his passion for cooking.
“I still love my day job, but there’s a place for both the job and cooking in my life,” he said.
As for his prize money, Benjie has more grounded plans. He wants to make renovations at home and spoil the family members who supported him throughout his journey.
He has also hinted at exploring his love for noodles further, with the possibility of a cookbook centred on the versatile ingredient.
For now, however, Benjie Baby can savour a remarkable achievement – a home cook from Kimberley has conquered one of South Africa’s biggest culinary competitions and brought the MasterChef crown to the Northern Cape for the first time.
MasterChef SA Season 6 in context
The sixth season of MasterChef South Africa premiered in February 2026 and concluded on 16 August after 26 episodes. The competition is built around amateur cooks competing in a series of culinary challenges, with contestants judged on their technical skills, creativity and ability to perform under pressure.
Benjie’s victory therefore represents the culmination of months of competition – and a major milestone for a contestant who entered the kitchen as a passionate home cook and left as South Africa’s latest MasterChef champion.
