Who is Dali Mpofu?
Dali Mpofu, a name that reverberates with the fervor of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and the sharp intellect of its legal and political arenas, stands as a formidable figure whose journey from the impoverished township of Duncan Village to the forefront of high-profile litigation and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leadership encapsulates a life of resilience and controversy.
Born Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu in 1962, this advocate, former SABC CEO, and EFF National Chairperson transformed his early activism with the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) into a career defending figures like Jacob Zuma and striking Marikana mineworkers, while navigating allegations of financial impropriety and a rumored affair with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
At 62, Mpofu’s path, marked by legal triumphs, political strategizing, and a polarizing public persona, positions him as a pivotal yet divisive force in South Africa’s quest for justice and transformation as of May 22, 2025.
This Dali Mpofu’s biography explores the dynamic ascent of a man whose life bridges the raw defiance of apartheid resistance with the complexities of post-democratic South Africa, offering a lens into the interplay of activism, legal acumen, and political ambition that defines his influence.
From his detention at 17 for sabotage to his senior counsel status and strategic role in EFF coalition victories, Mpofu’s career is a journey of groundbreaking contributions and contentious scandals, including his fraught SABC tenure and the 1992 ANC dismissal.
His personal life, shaped by family ties, a near-fatal 2013 stabbing, and a prominent son in Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, adds depth to a figure whose legacy sparks both admiration and critique.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of his early years, pre-prominence activism, multifaceted career, major achievements, personal life, and the evolving legacy of an advocate whose voice, from East London’s townships to Pretoria’s courtrooms, continues to challenge South Africa’s social and political fabric, one case and coalition at a time.
Dali Mpofu’s Bio-Data
| Name | Daluxolo Christopher “Dali” Mpofu |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1962 |
| Age | 62 years old |
| Place of Birth | Duncan Village, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Occupation | Advocate (Senior Counsel), Politician, Former SABC CEO |
| Political Affiliation | Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Member of the Central Command Team (previously National Chairperson, 2014–2019); formerly African National Congress (ANC) until 1992 |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu’s Early Life and Education
Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu, popularly known as Dali Mpofu, was born in 1962 in Duncan Village, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, during the height of apartheid.
Sources conflict on his exact birth date, with September 26, 1962, frequently cited, though some, like Wikipedia, note January 17, 1962, and others, like SA History Online, suggest September 2, 1962.
Born to Nosebenzile Doris Mpofu, a domestic worker, and a father who worked as a labourer at Wilson Rowntree sweets factory before dying during Mpofu’s teenage years, he grew up in abject poverty with two siblings.
His mother’s meager earnings ensured his education despite financial hardship.
Dali Mpofu attended Mzomhle High School in Mdantsane township, Eastern Cape, where he excelled academically despite apartheid-era educational constraints.
His political consciousness awakened at 13, sparked by banned books like Cry, the Beloved Country and Black Like Me, provided by his uncle Mfusi Moss.
By 1976, the Soweto Uprising further radicalized him, leading to his involvement in the Congress of South African Students (COSAS).
He was detained at 17 in 1979 for sabotage and arson, charged under Ciskei’s R252 law, and endured 90 days of brutal detention before acquittal in April 1981.
He pursued higher education at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), earning a Baccalaureus Procurationis (BProc) in 1988.
Some sources claim a Bachelor of Procurement Studies, but this appears to be a misnomer for BProc, a legal qualification.
He later completed an LLB at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1991, not Wits as some sources suggest, aligning with his admission as an advocate in 1993.
His time at Wits included leading the Congress-aligned Black Students’ Society, defeating Black Consciousness activist Xolela Mangcu, cementing his activist credentials.
Career Before Prominence
Dali Mpofu’s early career blended activism and labor.
After his 1981 acquittal, he worked as a spot-welder at Mercedes-Benz’s Car Distributors and Assemblers in East London, earning R51 weekly, while organizing for the South African Allied Workers’ Union.
Detained again in February 1981 for possessing ANC literature, including Sechaba and fliers about SADF raids, he was inspired by his lawyer, Devar Pillay, to pursue law.
Joining the ANC underground in 1980, he helped form COSAS in 1979, becoming a key figure by 1980.
In the late 1980s, Dali Mpofu served as deputy to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in the ANC’s Social Development Department.
His 1992 dismissal from the ANC, alongside Madikizela-Mandela, followed allegations of misappropriating R160,000 in ANC funds, fueled by a leaked letter from Madikizela-Mandela suggesting an affair.
Both denied the affair and fraud, with Mpofu suing for wrongful dismissal.
Paul Erasmus later revealed the allegations were part of a police Stratcom operation to discredit the ANC.
The affair rumors, widely believed to have contributed to Nelson and Winnie Mandela’s 1992 separation, remain a divisive aspect of Mpofu’s early career, though unproven.
Legal and Business Career
Admitted as an advocate of the High Court in 1993, Dali Mpofu earned senior counsel status in 2014, becoming a leading figure in politically sensitive cases.
He represented striking mineworkers at the 2012 Marikana Commission, Tom Moyane at the Zondo Commission, Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the Section 194 Enquiry, and Jacob Zuma in his corruption trial since 2021.
Other clients include Supra Mahumapelo, Ace Magashule, Patricia de Lille, Fees Must Fall activists, abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Gareth Cliff, and Zandile Mafe.
Critics, including X posts, accuse him of defending dubious causes or using ethically ambiguous tactics, yet his legal acumen is widely respected.
From 2005 to 2009, Dali Mpofu served as CEO of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a tenure marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and political interference, leading to his dismissal.
He chaired Boxing South Africa (2005–2008), served as President of the Southern African Broadcasters Association (2006–2009), and held directorships at ABB Powertech, Altech, Powertech, and Thebe Securities.
As Chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Forum (2001–present) and ICT BEE Charter Working Group, he influenced business and anti-corruption policy.
In 2004, he was named Businessperson of the Year by Black Business Quarterly, and the Computer Society of South Africa awarded him IT Personality of the Year.
Political Career
Mpofu’s political career began with the ANC in 1980, peaking with his ANC Youth League role and Social Development Department work.
After his 1992 dismissal, he joined the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in 2013, serving as National Chairperson from 2014 to 2019 and remaining on its central command team.
He contested the Gauteng premiership in 2014 but lost, later framing the candidacy as a principled stand rather than a bid for victory.
His EFF tenure included leading coalition talks, notably in 2021, when the EFF’s support for the DA ousted the ANC from Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, a move he taunted on social media.
From 2017 to 2022, Mpofu served on the Judicial Service Commission, influencing judicial appointments, though his EFF affiliation raised impartiality concerns among critics.
Representing the MK Party in 2024, he challenged the ANC’s opposition to its registration, arguing it targeted Jacob Zuma’s involvement.
Despite speculation in 2020 that he might join Parliament, Mpofu prioritized his legal work, particularly Zuma’s arms deal case, over an MP role.
Major Achievements
Mpofu’s achievements span activism, law, and business.
His COSAS leadership and ANC underground work were pivotal in anti-apartheid mobilization, earning him struggle credentials lauded by supporters on X.
His legal career, marked by senior counsel status and high-profile cases like Marikana and Zuma’s trial, solidified his reputation as a formidable advocate, despite ethical critiques.
His SABC CEO role, though controversial, elevated his business profile, complemented by awards like the 2004 Businessperson of the Year.
Directorships at major firms and leadership in anti-corruption initiatives underscore his corporate influence.
Politically, his EFF chairmanship and coalition strategies reshaped local governance, notably in Gauteng’s 2021 elections.
Personal Life
Dali Mpofu married Mpumi Nxumalo, a career civil servant and ANC member, in 2004.
They have three children: Mncedisi, Zwekazi (born 2003), and Letsema.
Mpofu’s eldest son, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (born 1989), from a previous relationship with Theresa Oakley, is a musician, author, and activist whose book Democracy and Delusion won the City Press Tafelberg Nonfiction Award.
The family is close-knit, with Mncedisi supporting the ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa, contrasting Mpofu’s EFF ties.
Mpumi, a former director-general with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning, led transport planning for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and serves as CEO of Airports Company South Africa.
Dali Mpofu resides in South Africa, likely Johannesburg, though his exact address is private for security reasons.
His X handle (@advdali_mpofu) boasts over 1 million followers, where he shares legal and political views.
In April 2013, he survived a stabbing during a mugging in East London, hospitalized with a collapsed lung; two perpetrators were convicted in 2014.
In October 2013, he faced a R2 million tax debt, adding to financial scrutiny from his SABC days.
Legacy and Impact
At 62, as of May 22, 2025, Dali Mpofu’s net worth is estimated at $5.5 million to $7.8 million, derived from legal fees, business directorships, and past SABC salary (reportedly $15,000 monthly), though Forbes has not verified these figures, and estimates vary.
His legacy is a blend of anti-apartheid heroism, legal prowess, and political divisiveness.
His COSAS and ANC contributions shaped youth resistance, while his advocacy in cases like Marikana and Zuma’s trial amplified marginalized voices, though critics on X question his choice of clients, like Czech gangster Radovan Krejcir.
The 1992 Madikizela-Mandela affair allegations, amplified by Stratcom, remain a stain, with social media backlash intensifying after he called Winnie “mama” post her 2018 death, though her daughters’ 2019 photo with him in EFF attire suggested reconciliation.
His SABC tenure and tax issues fueled perceptions of financial impropriety, yet his business roles and awards highlight corporate success.
Politically, his EFF leadership and coalition maneuvers, like the 2021 Gauteng shift, underscore his strategic influence, though the party’s radicalism limits his mainstream appeal.
As he continues representing Zuma and shaping EFF strategy, Dali Mpofu’s story, from Duncan Village’s poverty to South Africa’s legal and political elite, remains a polarizing testament to resilience and ambition, his impact enduring amid debates over justice, ethics, and transformation.
Conclusion
Dali Mpofu’s remarkable odyssey through South Africa’s turbulent political and legal landscapes stands as a compelling narrative of resilience, intellectual prowess, and polarizing ambition, a journey that arcs from the impoverished township of Duncan Village to the commanding heights of high-stakes courtrooms and the strategic helm of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Born Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu in 1962, he transformed the scars of apartheid-era detentions and activism with the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) into a formidable career as a senior counsel, defending figures like Jacob Zuma and Marikana mineworkers, while steering the EFF’s coalition victories as its former National Chairperson.
At 62, with a net worth estimated at $5.5 million to $7.8 million as of May 22, 2025, Mpofu’s legacy, woven with anti-apartheid heroism, legal triumphs, and contentious episodes like his SABC dismissal and alleged Winnie Madikizela-Mandela affair, embodies the complexities of a nation striving for justice and transformation.
His legacy is a vibrant tapestry of groundbreaking contributions and divisive controversies.
Dali Mpofu’s COSAS leadership and ANC underground work galvanized youth against apartheid, earning him struggle credentials celebrated by supporters on X, while his legal advocacy in landmark cases like the Marikana Commission and Zuma’s corruption trial amplified marginalized voices, despite critiques of his client choices.
His SABC CEO tenure (2005–2009) and business roles, including directorships at Altech and Powertech, showcased corporate influence, yet financial scandals, like a 2013 R2 million tax debt, and the 1992 ANC dismissal fueled perceptions of impropriety.
Politically, his EFF strategizing, notably the 2021 Gauteng coalition shift, reshaped local governance, though his radical affiliations limit broader appeal.
Awards like the 2004 Businessperson of the Year underscore his multifaceted impact.
On a personal level, Dali Mpofu is a devoted family man, married to Mpumi Nxumalo, father to four, including activist son Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, whose East London roots and survival of a 2013 stabbing add grit to his narrative.
Residing in Johannesburg, his million-follower X presence (@advdali_mpofu) blends legal insight with political fire, though his “mama” tribute to Madikizela-Mandela reignited affair rumors, complicating his public image.
As of May 22, 2025, Dali Mpofu stands at a pivotal juncture, his ongoing representation of Zuma and EFF influence offer platforms to shape South Africa’s future, while past scandals and ethical critiques challenge his stature.
Whether history will remember him as a champion of the oppressed or a polarizing opportunist, his impact, from Duncan Village’s hardships to Pretoria’s power corridors, is indelible, a legacy of defiance and intellect that continues to stir South Africa’s quest for equity, one courtroom battle and coalition deal at a time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Dali Mpofu?
Dali Mpofu, born Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu on September 26, 1962, in Duncan Village, East London, is a South African senior counsel, politician, and former SABC CEO (2005–2009). A prominent EFF leader and anti-apartheid activist, he’s known for representing high-profile clients like Jacob Zuma and Marikana mineworkers.
Q. What is Dali Mpofu’s current role in the EFF?
As of May 22, 2025, Mpofu is a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ Central Command Team, having served as National Chairperson from 2014 to 2019, and plays a key role in coalition strategies and legal advocacy for the party.
Q. What are Dali Mpofu’s notable legal cases?
He has represented striking mineworkers at the 2012 Marikana Commission, Jacob Zuma in his ongoing corruption trial, Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the Section 194 Enquiry, Tom Moyane at the Zondo Commission, and others like Patricia de Lille and Fees Must Fall activists, earning both praise and criticism for his client choices.
Q. Why was Dali Mpofu dismissed from the ANC?
In 1992, he was dismissed from the ANC alongside Winnie Madikizela-Mandela over allegations of misappropriating R160,000 in funds, fueled by a leaked letter suggesting an affair, later revealed as part of a police Stratcom operation to discredit the ANC. Both denied the allegations, and Mpofu sued for wrongful dismissal.
Q. What controversies surround Dali Mpofu?
His 2005–2009 SABC CEO tenure faced allegations of financial mismanagement, leading to his dismissal, and a 2013 R2 million tax debt added scrutiny. The 1992 Madikizela-Mandela affair rumors, his defense of controversial figures like Zuma and Radovan Krejcir, and criticism of his legal tactics have sparked debate, with X posts questioning his ethics.
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