Sizwe Dhlomo Says ‘Maybe Uncle Herm?’ and Leaves Julius Malema Stunned
Sizwe Dhlomo has set social media alight after dropping an unexpected name when asked who he would support for Johannesburg mayor in the November 2026 local government elections.
The popular broadcaster responded to a question on X with just three words: “Maybe Uncle Herm?”
The reference to ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba was enough to trigger a wave of reactions across Mzansi, with users quickly turning the comment into a talking point about Dhlomo’s political preferences.
But it was the reaction from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema that added another layer to the exchange.
Malema appeared taken aback by Dhlomo’s suggestion, replying:
“He banna👀”
The brief response immediately fuelled further reactions, with social media users interpreting Malema’s words as surprise at the possibility of Dhlomo backing Mashaba.
Dhlomo’s Unexpected Political Hint
Dhlomo was responding to a question about who he would support for Johannesburg mayor ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 2026.
Rather than naming one of the more expected political figures, the broadcaster appeared to point towards Mashaba, the former Johannesburg mayor and leader of ActionSA.
His “Maybe Uncle Herm?” response offered little explanation, leaving social media users to debate whether the comment represented a genuine political preference, a joke or simply a playful response to the question.
The ambiguity only appeared to fuel the online reaction.
Within hours, users were sharing memes and weighing in on what Dhlomo’s answer could mean.
Julius Malema’s Reaction Takes Centre Stage
While Dhlomo’s comment started the conversation, Malema’s response quickly became one of its biggest talking points.
The EFF leader’s “He banna👀” reaction suggested surprise, although he did not elaborate on what had caught his attention.
Social media users immediately seized on the exchange, with many focusing less on the mayoral question itself and more on the unexpected possibility of Dhlomo supporting Mashaba.
The interaction also highlighted the increasingly unpredictable nature of political conversations on social media, where a short comment can quickly become a national talking point.
Johannesburg’s 2026 Mayoral Race
Dhlomo’s remarks come as political parties prepare for the November 2026 local government elections, with Johannesburg expected to remain one of the country’s most closely watched political battlegrounds.
The city has experienced intense political competition in recent years, making any discussion about its future leadership particularly sensitive.
Whether Dhlomo’s comment was a serious endorsement or a tongue-in-cheek response remains unclear.
For now, however, his “Maybe Uncle Herm?” remark has achieved something few political statements manage to do: it caught Julius Malema off guard and sent social media into a frenzy.
The question now is whether Dhlomo was merely joking, or whether he has given voters an early glimpse of where his political support could lie when Johannesburg heads to the polls in November.
