On 19 September, 2025, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concluded his 3-day presentation at the Madlanga Inquiry Commission that was set up to investigate the rot in the South African Police that allegedly involved high profile politicians in the Republic of South Africa. This inquiry was set-up to investigate the allegations made by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi in a press conference held on 6 July, 2025, where he accused Minister of Police and other High ranking officials of wrongdoings in the country that led to the interference with police’s investigations of political killings that took place across the country.
As PR Watchdog Eswatini, after careful analysis of the behavior of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi that has turned him into a household name in South Africa, we have compiled Public Relations lessons that organizations can learn from this noble Police Officer who is ‘holding the bull by its horns’ as we speak much to the delight of the general public. Here are the PR lessons we can learn:
BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF BEING REACTIVE
Many South Africans didn’t know about the current status quo of the state capture by alleged criminals like Cat Matlala, who seem to have enjoyed many privileges which included being protected by high ranking government officials and state agents alike. Instead of waiting for the media or any whistleblower to come forward, Mkhwanazi took it upon himself to call a press conference held on 6 July, 2025, with his team by his side, he briefed the nation about the latest developments which led to the general public vowing to back him up throughout this trajectory that has led to the death of many people.
Lesson: In Public Relations, you need to be proactive instead of being reactive. The moment you become aware of a potential crisis that can jeopardise your image as an organization, the stakeholders will appreciate if you come forward before everyone else. This will show that you foresee the future and you are willing to rectify the issue at hand with due diligence.
Clarity, Candor, and Directness in Communication
Mkhwanazi is known for his blunt, unambiguous, and jargon-free language. He doesn’t hide behind corporate speak or vague promises. Those who listened to his presentation at the inquiry, they will tell you that he was straightforward and didn’t use ambiguity in his presentation which could have left a room for misinterpretation.
Lesson: In Public Relations, especially during a crisis or during routine updates, clear and direct communication builds trust. It shows confidence and leaves no room for harmful misinterpretation. Stakeholders (the public, media, employees) appreciate honesty, even when the news is bad. Don’t obfuscate; be clear about the challenges and the planned response.
Leading from the Front and Visibility
As a senior leader, Mkhwanazi is consistently visible at major crime scenes, operational takedowns, and public engagements. He doesn’t delegate communication during a crisis to junior spokespeople while remaining in the office. Today, he explained why he was wearing his full gear uniform while accompanied by his team during the 6 July, 2025 press conference.
Lesson: Visibility is a PR strategy. Being present demonstrates commitment, accountability, and empathy. It shows that leadership is personally invested and not detached from the reality on the ground. This builds immense credibility and humanizes the organization.
Demonstrating Competence and Action
His communication is almost always accompanied with a demonstration of action, strategic understanding and findings that back up what he is saying. He explains the data in his team’s possession, what is being done, why, and how. For example, his detailed explanations on the Communications that took place between Mr. Cat Matlala are backed up by the availability of cellphone data that completes the puzzle. Stakeholders are always intrigued by the proves ion of evidence of research in every claim made and that is what has been provided throughout.
Lesson: PR is not just about talking; it’s about demonstrating action and providing data that justify certain decisions taken by the powers that be. Communications must be backed by visible, competent action. “Show, don’t just tell” is a powerful tool for building confidence and shifting the narrative from criticism to constructive action.
Managing Expectations Realistically
Mkhwanazi often tempers public expectation with realism. He acknowledges the scale of challenges like cable theft, gangsterism, or organized crime without making grand, unbelievable promises of instant solutions. The Lieutenant-General has never made bold declarations like edadicating crime but has assured the nation that under his watch, he will do everything possible to create a safer South Africa for them to live in.
Lesson: Under-promise and over-deliver. Setting realistic expectations prevents future disappointment and accusations of failure. It’s better to be honest about a long, difficult process and then show incremental progress than to promise a quick fix that never materializes.
Strategic Use of Tone and Demeanor
He masterfully adapts his tone to the situation. This is a man who has mastered the art of speaking in a tone that will resonate with his audience at any given time or place. He carefully selects his words to suit the narrative and his speeches strike the chord of the audience. We are seeing a man with emotional intelligence gracing us with his presence that has become the talk of town! What a time to be alive and here is how he does it:
· At a crime scene: He is sober, respectful, and determined.
· Addressing criminals: He is fiercely authoritative and threatening (e.g., his famous “we are coming for you” warnings).
· Addressing the public: He is reassuring and informative.
Lesson: Emotional intelligence is key to PR. Understand the emotional state of your audience and tailor your tone accordingly. A one-size-fits-all message lacks authenticity and impact.
Embracing Accountability (Even When It’s Difficult)
While defending his officers when appropriate, Mkhwanazi has also been quick to condemn criminal behavior within the SAPS. This draws a clear line, showing the public that the organization has standards and is not above the law it serves. High ranking police officials who include police commissioners and other state agents have been publicly called to order by the Lieutenant-General much to the excitement of the observers and stakeholders.
Lesson: Acknowledging your organization’s flaws can be a strength. It builds integrity and shows a commitment to self-correction. Trying to hide failures always backfires worse than addressing them head-on.
Powerful, Memorable Soundbites
Mkhwanazi is adept at creating clear, strong, and quotable statements that resonate with the media and the public. Phrases like “We are not going to negotiate with criminals, we are going to deal with them” are simple, powerful, and clearly communicate stance and policy. A
“Sometimes you ought to put away your Parabellums and the blue uniform, put on your boots, and face the enemy directly.”- General Mkhwanazi, 2025, Madlanga Commission.
Lesson: Craft your core messages. Have a set of clear, repeatable, and impactful key messages that can be easily understood and disseminated. This ensures your narrative cuts through the noise.
Understanding the Media Landscape
It took a press conference for Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi to become a household name. His appearance on the media on 6 July, 2025, has shaped the South African history and has earned him a place in the hearts of peace loving South Africans. He uses the media as a force multiplier. His strong statements and visible actions generate significant positive coverage. He also uses press conferences strategically to make major announcements, ensuring the message is controlled and comes directly from the top.
Lesson: the media is a channel, not an enemy. A proactive, transparent relationship with the media can be used to amplify your message, demonstrate transparency, and reach a wide audience effectively.
At the moment, we can only sit down and watch as the Mkhwanazi masterpiece is about to reach its climax. As a PR Agency, we can only pin-point
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