UMZUKULU KAMHLANGANYELWA
Grammy Award-winning producer Lebo M has revealed that he is considering entering politics, saying South Africa needs leaders who are prepared to confront difficult issues instead of avoiding them.
The internationally acclaimed composer made the revelation during an interview on the I Heart Podcast, where he spoke candidly about the country’s illegal immigration challenges and the way the debate has been framed.
Lebo M argued that South Africans have too often been branded as xenophobic simply for raising concerns about illegal immigration.
“Someone decided, ‘Let’s throw a label on this thing.’ The best label they could come up with to drive a narrative about South Africa was ‘xenophobia,'” he said.
The Lion King star maintained that there is a clear difference between opposing illegal immigration and being hostile towards foreign nationals.
He said South Africans should be able to discuss border control, undocumented migrants and the country’s immigration laws without immediately being labelled xenophobic.
His comments come as illegal immigration continues to dominate political debate ahead of next year’s local government elections.
The issue has become a major talking point, with several political parties calling for tighter border controls, stricter enforcement of immigration laws and faster deportation of undocumented migrants.
At the same time, human rights organisations have urged South Africans to separate criminality from nationality and to avoid attacks on foreign nationals.
Although Lebo M did not reveal whether he plans to join an existing political party or launch his own movement, he admitted that entering politics is something he is seriously considering.
Born Lebohang Morake, Lebo M is one of South Africa’s most celebrated entertainment figures.
He achieved global fame after arranging and performing the iconic opening chant in Disney’s The Lion King, before building an international career as a composer, producer and performer.
His work has earned him Grammy and Tony awards, making him one of the country’s most recognised creative exports.
Away from music, Lebo M has often made headlines for his colourful personal life.
One of his most publicised disputes was with veteran sports broadcaster Robert Marawa over child maintenance involving Marawa’s son with former Generations actress Zoe Mthiyane.
Lebo M, who was previously engaged to Mthiyane and shares a daughter with her, claimed he had helped raise and support Marawa’s son while he was in a relationship with the actress.
The allegations sparked a bitter public exchange between the two men that dominated entertainment headlines.
Now, with politics seemingly on his radar, South Africans will be watching closely to see whether the entertainment giant takes his next step from the recording studio to the campaign trail.
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