Minister Dean Macpherson

Johannesburg, South Africa—The Youth Rising Campaign, alongside various community leaders and organizations, are ramping up calls for the removal of Minister Dean Macpherson. He stands accused of engaging in racist targeting of Black female executives within the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and other public works entities falling under his ministry. These serious allegations involve abuse of power, political maneuvering, and the strategic spread of false information aimed at undermining Black female leadership.

Allegations of racist targeting has dogged Dean MacPherson for many years since his days as councilor, especially the targeting of women but particularly black women.

The controversy surrounding Macpherson no wonder primarily centers on claims that he has intentionally targeted Black women in leadership positions. Critics argue that his actions are designed to destabilize their careers and replace them with individuals who align more closely with his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), others knowing him better allege that he wants to replace them with young , white pliable young men that aligns more closely with him and not his party. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have intensified these allegations by filing a criminal case against Macpherson for corruption. They assert that he bribed a journalist to publish negative articles about IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka, suggesting this was a calculated effort to replace Malaka with a candidate more favourable to the DA. Dean MacPherson also committed a big no no and that is bypassing the CEO and Chairman of the IDT Board who both are members of the Accounting Authority of the IDT by directly instrucing a junior employee of the IDT, this is a big and flagrant violation of government protocol that no minister should commit since they are the one who need to rolemodel ethical behaviour. Even at local government level can a Local Councilor interfere in operational affairs of the municipality, yet Dean MacPherson had the gall and the arrogance to violate such a Golden Rule of no political interference. It is troubling since the DA is fond of accusing the ANC of political interference.

Wellknown politician and political commentator Masibongwe Sihlahla commented on the situation, stating, “The Daily Maverick article of 16 April 2025, allegedly by Rebecca Davis, raises concerning issues regarding the harsh and slanderous portrayal of Azola Mayekiso as CEO of the NHFC and warrants a critical and independent response based on facts. The framing of her leadership as a Black woman amidst unfounded allegations of mismanagement clearly reflects broader societal issues, particularly regarding the treatment of Black women leaders in South Africa where women even white upper class women were given the short end of the stick and where black women stood even less of a chance of success and possessing agency or autonomy in their lives.

Dean MacPherson has a long and troubling campaign history together with his controversial rhetoric in a racially unstable environment.Concerns about Macpherson’s leadership abilities and decision-making skills date back to his time as a councilor during the chaotic 9-18 July 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). During this period, he faced significant backlash for putting up posters in Phoenix that were seen as glorifying murderers and disrespecting the victims of the violence. A representative from the Youth Rising Campaign remarked, “This shows his lack of leadership and mental acumen,” emphasizing the ongoing scrutiny of Macpherson’s judgment and decision-making as mentioned earlier. Many political pundits within Youth Rising Campaign asked was this exploiting the simmering tensions remaining from 13-15 January 1949 or was this to create chaos by instigating or fomenting racial violence with only the DA as the winner.

Questions of Competence and Qualifications

Adding to the controversy, Macpherson is one of three ministers, including DA party leader John Steenhuisen, who have only completed National Senior Certificate, South Africa’s high school graduation qualification. Critics contend that Macpherson’s targeting of highly qualified Black women, many of whom hold MBA and Master’s degrees or higher, highlights a troubling trend within the DA. This trend seems to prioritize political loyalty over competence, leading to perceptions that the DA is promoting mediocrity at the expense of merit. I must give credit due to the ANC in general and the ANC Women’s League in particular who have fought hard and long for women to achieve recognition and reward for their achievements especially in government positions where women have really done our country proud.

In response to the growing allegations, the DA has blindly and foolishly defended Macpherson in the face of hard evidence , asserting that he is actively working to “expose corruption” within the IDT. When it comes to blacks in leadership positions the DA’s default position is he/she must be corrupt, they only need to prove it. This includes addressing an R800-million irregular tender scandal. The party claims that the IDT has failed to submit audited financial statements and is suffering from financial mismanagement under its current leadership of Tebogo Malaka. The DA maintains that Macpherson’s actions are in the public interest and aimed at restoring accountability within the IDT as well as the NHFC both led by highly acclaimed and highly academically qualified women who has a long history of tried and tested leadership.

The situation surrounding Minister Dean Macpherson is emblematic of broader issues related to race, gender, and leadership in South Africa as if black women in leadership positions in government does not face enough pushback from Apartheid elements. As calls for his removal grow louder, the implications of these allegations extend beyond individual accountability, touching on systemic challenges faced by Black women leaders in the public sector even after 3 decades of democracy and the most liberal constitution in the world. The unfolding narrative raises critical questions about governance, representation, and the ongoing struggle for equity in leadership roles black women occupy within the country in general. Under Apartheid the idea of a woman in leadership was anathema to their Christian values seeing a woman as submissive to man who is the head of the house as Jesus is the head of the Church. Under Dean MacPherson the motivation seems more personal, is leadership choices grindring to a halt under his oversight?

As the discourse continues, it remains essential for civil society organisation like Youth Rising Campaign to monitor the developments surrounding these grindring allegations and the responses from both the DA and the broader community. It is also important that other parties follow the lead of the ANC , Good Party and EFF in keeping Dean MacPherson accountable. I raise my hat to the Good Party when they slammed Dean MacPherson for not understanding his role as Minister and member of Government by critising him for prioritising on social media his personal preferences over his responsibilities as a public office bearer. It appears from his statements that he either did not know that Land Expropriation with Compensation was an Apartheid law and that the ANC has made it very difficult for any government to attempt to do the same due to a long list of checks and balances or he wishes to be a rogue minister when he stated such a law will never be implemented under his watch. The State President does not have to fire Dean MacPherson he has clearly resigned from allegiance to the constitution of our country leaving the Cyril Ramaphosa with no choice but formalise it. Our country cannot afford to have Dean MacPherson one moment longer.

issued by : Sikhonathi Kunene.

Black Lives Matter RSA Campaign Coordinator

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