CORRECTION: The original article initially said that Mcebo Sisulu claimed to be the love child of Zwelakhe Sisulu and the sister of Swaziland’s “King Zwelathini”, when it should have said a “Swazi princess.” Wits Vuvuzela regrets the error which has been corrected.
Following a three-week investigation into the academic credentials as claimed by Wits Junction Res House Comm head, Mcebo Sisulu, he finally admits he has been lying about his identity and, in fact, is not a grandson of Walter Sisulu.
By Thabile Manala and Rofhiwa Madzena
NOT A SISULU: The head of the Wits Junction Residence house committee, has been calling himself Mcebo Olyate Sisulu and giving interviews to Wits campus media about his Sisulu family background. He now says his name is Mcebo Freedom Dlamini and he is not related to the Sisulu’s. Photo: Luca Kotton.
On May 7, as South Africans flocked to the polling booths, Wits Vuvuzela interviewed the head of the Wits Junction Residence house committee, Mcebo Olyate Sisulu, about his famous family’s political background and the influence it has had on his passion for politics and social change.
In the unpublished article titled: “‘Young Sisulu Buck True to Family Heritage”, Sisulu recounts his childhood memories of growing up in the Sisulu family home in Orlando West.
He talks about how the home was a refuge for the children of politicians in exile, comrades in prison and many others who were on the run from the police.
In the interview he said: “I love the ANC (African National Congress). When I was introduced to politics I was inducted into the ANC … I was born into it and the family, so everywhere I go I see black, gold and green.”
Degrees in actuarial science and nuclear physics
And while Wits Vuvuzela was keen to publish an article about a Witsie who was also the grandson of the great Walter Sisulu, it was the younger Sisulu’s claims that he was studying towards an undergraduate degree in politics and an honours degree in mathematical statistics that raised suspicions about his claims.
A quick look at Sisulu’s publicly available Facebook profile revealed that he claimed to hold another two degrees, one in actuarial science and another in nuclear physics.
Before publishing the article on election day, Wits Vuvuzela contacted Mcebo Sisulu to ask which of Walter Sisulu’s sons was his father.
“Zwelakhe,” he said.
But just a year ago, in an interview with VoWFM for the Your Campus, Your Story show, Mcebo Sisulu was featured as a cool kid on Wits campus due to his life as a Sisulu.
On that show, he said his father was Maxwell (Max) Sisulu, the brother of Zwelakhe.
Online research about the Sisulu family could not substantiate either of these claims.
Claims to be a lovechild of Zwelakhe Sisulu and a Swazi princess
Responding to a question about who the head of Junction Res house committee is, a source at Wits University told Wits Vuvuzela, “Mcebo Freedom Dlamini.”
So, our journalists went back to Mcebo Sisulu for clarity. Although reluctant to discuss his family history this time around, he eventually said he was the lovechild of Zwelakhe Sisulu and a Swazi princess.
Zwelakhe Sisulu, a former journalist and editor, died in 2012 at his home in Johannesburg at age 61.
Describing his birth as “controversial,” Mcebo said he was born in Mozambique and raised in Tanzania.
Prior to this though, he said he was raised in Orlando West and even mused about his life there.
“There would be 20 people sleeping in one room … my grandmother [Albertina Sisulu] would even take my food, and give it to other people,” he said.
When Wits Vuvuzela spoke to people close to Mcebo Sisulu asking about his claims, each person responded by saying that he is a Sisulu but it is a sensitive story.
Reactions from members of the Sisulu family
Wits Vuvuzela made contact with a source close to the Sisulu family who spoke directly with Zwelakhe Sisulu’s widow, Zodwa, about Mcebo’s claims.
The source indicated that she herself did not know of any Mcebo Sisulu.
According to the source, Zodwa Sisulu said if Mcebo was indeed an offspring of one of the Sisulu’s, the family would have gladly welcomed him.
In a chance encounter a while later Wits Vuvuzela journalists had the opportunity to ask Max Sisulu, brother of the late Zwelakhe, about Mcebo Sisulu’s claims. Max Sisulu, a former speaker of parliament, said: “My family knows nothing of a Mcebo.” He added: “… Zwelakhe didn’t have a lovechild, so I don’t know.”
Personally recruited to study a “secret” degree
In two formal interviews with Wits Vuvuzela, Mcebo Sisulu maintained he was the son of Zwelakhe Sisulu and despite being a lovechild, his father and his grandparents (Walter and Albertina), loved and cared for him.
When questioned about his degrees and qualifications, Sisulu initially accused Wits Vuvuzela of “invading his Facebook” but then claimed he was personally recruited by the University of Pretoria to complete a degree in nuclear physics.
The degree, he added, was a “secret” one and so it would be difficult to verify its existence.
He also claimed on his Facebook profile that he was invited to speak at a Golden Key breakfast on the basis of his academic qualifications. Golden Key recognises academic achievers across the world through local chapters at universities.
According to a source who did not want to be named, and who organises events for the organisation, Sisulu was never a guest speaker at the breakfast nor any of the other events hosted by Golden Key at Wits.
Offers leads on other story if article is not published
During the interviews with Wits Vuvuzela, Mcebo Sisulu pleaded with the journalists to “drop” this story, saying he would face repercussions from the Sisulu family if the story were to be told. He also said it would attract negative publicity for his family.
During the investigation, Sisulu arrived unannounced, with two other students at the residence room of one of the Wits Vuvuzela journalists close to 11pm one evening, telling her to drop the story.
He offered leads on other stories if Wits Vuvuzela did not publish the article.
The journalist was shaken enough by the experience to report the incident to Wits Campus Control.
During one of these interviews, Mcebo Sisulu said: “I don’t want to cause public spats, it’s uncalled for. We know each other and we know where we meet as a family.”
“I introduce myself anyhow I feel like introducing myself … It has nothing to do with who I am.”
In the middle of last week, Mcebo Sisulu made contact with Wits Vuvuzela and arranged another meeting.
Clearly agitated, he announced at the meeting: “My name is Mcebo Freedom Dlamini. “That’s my stage name [Mcebo Sisulu]; that’s the name I decide to call myself when I’m excited.”
When asked about why he needed a “stage name,”, he said: “Where I’m from, when you like a leader you call yourself by that politician’s name. I’m a politician and I love politicians.”
“I introduce myself anyhow I feel like introducing myself … It has nothing to do with who I am,” he said.
Asked if he is the son of Zwelakhe Sisulu, he said, “No I am not.” Asked if he is indeed a Sisulu, Mcebo Dlamini said, “I’m not.”
Go to the 2008/2009 register of students of the University of Swaziland. This boy dropped out in that year. He is a Swazi and is well known by students of that University enrolled that year. Yes, he is loud and few liked him for associating himself with Swazi royalty. Ask around, you will find what I’m saying is true.
be strong boy..we can’t reverse anything..stay focus..
to all the people rallying behind mcebo in the name of exams you need to understand that in life, the past doesn’t wait 4 a convenient time to come back and haunt you. you lie, then that’s gonna come back and bite u at a very inconvenient time…ts called life not vuvuzela…so stop hiding behind ‘exams’ and suck it up. good job vuvuzela
Thank you Vuvuzela for reporting this. Identity theft is a serious issue, and perpetrators cannot get away with it!!
And the bootlickers rally behind behind the delusional mad man, “we will fight for our combrade” wits students smart people are like sheep and mcebo the shepard..what did you want vuvuzela to report on? The weather? Mcebo had dual personalities deep psychiatric problems and people who could think for themselves gathered like disciples as he preached the gospel of the anc..who smart people got imdoctrinated but a mad man..you should be happy vuvuzela exposed your mad leader or else you would still be shackled incapable of formimg your own political opinion having a madman form it for you!! All those cheesboys and cheesgals from junction voted this madman for their leader sad!!
I feel like i just an article from the Daily Sun. What’s next…how Madibuseng was getting down at Gringoz??
This man is a con artist with schizophrenia, luckily some of us have been able to see through his lies all along. Nevertheless i hope he does well for his exams and leave wits ASAP
Yu guys do realise that they didnt go after him. This guy called them and asked them to support his lies and deciet. They just did their jobs and actually uncovered the truth. Where they supposed to just leave the story they spent three weeks on just because the story didnt go the way this guy wanted it to? Think about whose really in the wrong here. What would have happened to the careers of the journalists if they had printed the non sense he was sprouting and later on was found out. Is his ego boosting and decieving more important than someone doing an honest days work? If thats the case why not start with policeman since they are going after criminals liek him
lol. funny story… :’) best story I’ve ever read here
Of all the things going on on campus that you could report on?! How does him being or not being a Sisulu affect life on campus? There are way much more important issues than this, seriously!!
What bigger issues, please give suggestions on what they should be reporting on
Really? he’s a student leader, dts important enough 4 us
Zweli, it was right for Wits Vuvuzela to release this article and what they had to gain from it was the truth about a con man who was trying to gain political clout & traction by falsely using the name a well known and respected political family. It’s also in the publics interest to know of such. Wits Vuvuzela isn’t the one destroying him, he destroyed himself by telling lies!
I think the funniest thing is the nuclear physics recruit – lmfao… hahahahahaha, my word
I don’t feel that this was defamation of any kind, this article did not aim to destroy but tell the truth. I think we are just tired of people conning and lying to us, such must be exposed at all times. People must just stop claiming to be what they are not.
Funny how intelligent academics blindly followed him…how they continue to defend him..I am just disappointed how people become bootlickers how they suck up until such happens..sapere aude!!!!!
What does the paper get from such reporting though! How did it affect the student life at Wits? This paper should be informative on relevant issues that are affecting the students not this nonsense that the journalists are wasting the papers time and resources on!!
This story tickles me in a strange manner. The strangeness is due to the manner in which the truth was told. Its a bit over-board. It almost seems as if the reporter was not completely objective, as all reporters should be. I smell personal vendetta’s. Despite this, I believe it was a necessary article. It sends a message to all the other Pinocchio’s who’s noses grow in the dark. Wits Vuvuzela will find you!…
Lol.. ‘SECRET DEGREE’
Hhayibo… there is no such thing as “Swaziland’s King Zwelathini”.
The Wits Vuvuzela is vuvuzeling kak, this is a rubishtic, nonesensical story; yes Mcebo lied about his identity but he did not kill no one in the process!! Wits Vuvuzela editor was really discombobulated on following such a story to turnish the image of another student. I know Mcebo is a big noise, but that did not give the paper the right to envade his personal life. Vuvuzela my foot, I thought you were the voice of the students; WOULD YOU CRUCIFY ME IF I WERE TO CALL MYSELF WISEMAN “EINSTEIN” ?? IT IS HIS STAGE NAME SO WHAT??? Eish le wena Mcebo though…give that Sisulu boy a bell; the Sisulu family should be proud because he did not turnish their image in the “lying process”. Mcebo Freedom Sisulu-Dlamini can do Mcebos.
Morale of the story? Tell the truth. There is difference between calling yourself “Einstein” and having a stage and then make up a entire story about a fake life. If Mcebo is ashamed of his family then he deal with it privately. Not try to ride the success story of another family name. Vuvuzela did right by publishing the story, this man is a pathological lair. Who know what else he is lying about? At least now people will be aware before they listen to his cock and bull story.
iVuvuzela Ayisafani!!!
WOW!! This is quite sad. I met him as a Sisulu and that was his whole claim to fame and now to find this out! One white lie is excusable but this guy constantly introduces himself as a Sisulu not only when he’s “excited” and he’s tied himself in so many lies around being a Sisulu; for goodness sake he even signed off his notices in the Junction bus as Mcebo Freedom Sisulu. however I hope Wits Vuvuzela realizes that this could be an issue far above assuming false identity and this very humiliating article could do more damage than good. After all sensationalism is great to us as readers but when the stability/mental health of an individual is brought to question is a publication the way to go?
So dissapointed with Vuvuzela! there are more pressing issues than discussing a fellow student who made a mistake. Is vuvuzela becoming a tabloid and who is next?
Dude’s room is a floor level above mine, loud fellow that I always try to avoid. Never knew he claimed to be a Sisulu but this is somewhat funny to me.
He lied about who he is.. but is it appropriate to now publicise this for it to be shared on online platforms as if he committed a crime?…I don’t condone his actions but I think the matter could’ve been handled in a more appropriate manner.
This is funny and sad at the same time. I wonder what wits vuvuzela aims to gain by publishing such defamatory content. Its not like he “lied” to the wits system/administration cause they clearly knew his true identity, to even quote “Mcebo Freedom Dlamini”- whats the big deal? It seems like a spiteful attack on their part for being the bigger fools who ever believed he was a Sisulu and they just had to bring in the “real” Sisulu’s to get story running. ( Petty Journo antics)
How is defamatory? Mcebo himself states in the article that he lied about his identity. What Mcebo did was misrepresenting himself to be something he isn’t. Some people call that fraud. If anything, him claiming to be a Sisulu was defamatory. I doubt the Sisulu would want to be associated with such a pathological liar.
its exams for God’s sake, what if the poor guy commits suicide? you should have went to daily sun and seek a career there.#BringBackHisDignity.
an intriguing read this was indeed!
If this guy just told the truth from the get go, none of this would be happening. Morale of the story? Always tell the truth!!! I now wonder if he is even a member of the Golden Key? Not only is he disrespecting the Sisulu family who may have had to dig up old wounds of the death of Zwelakhe Sisulu to verify the information, but he is disrespecting his own family who I am sure have sacrifed a lot for him. I cannot imagine trusting this guy in any leadership role AT ALL!
I’m glad that this story came out. He is technically a con man.. He should be lucky that the Sisulu family hasn’t opened any sort of case against him for his lies, going around campus and using the Sisulu name for popularity …. Lying does not get you anywhere. He should apologise, not be arrogant about it. It is clear he has not learnt from his mistake.
Is that true?
Please infom me
Oh wow!!! Really shocked, I resided at Wits Junction for 2 years and I have always know Mcebo as a Sisulu. He even spoke at an awards ceremony where I was a recipient held at Wits Junction Residential and he introduced himself as a Sisulu. But this is identify theft then
Was there a need for Vuvuzela to infact release such an article. What does the student journalist gain from having to destroy another student? These types of articles are the ones that disstroy our country… Dirty reporting.
Oh, yes. I see how protecting the Sisulu family legacy from scandal destroys our country. Of course.
Yho, this is deep.
hehehehehe this guy