Ramaphosa’s viral moment as Ekurhuleni Mayor Xhakaza speaks gets Mzansi talking

A video of President Cyril Ramaphosa seemingly reprimanding Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during an African National Congress (ANC) door-to-door campaign in Ekurhuleni has gone viral, sparking significant debate online.

The clip shows Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza speaking to the public while Ramaphosa can be heard addressing Lesufi in the background.

You don’t speak after the President, this is not protocol, you must tell him.

Ramaphosa’s remarks appear to refer to Xhakaza speaking after the President, with the President instructing Lesufi to ensure proper protocol is followed in the future. The exchange has left South Africans divided, with many taking to social media to discuss what the interaction reveals about internal dynamics and tensions within the ANC as the party intensifies its campaign ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.