Norah Mahlangu, the mayor of Tswaing Local Municipality in South Africa’s North West province, has become a trending topic online following the viral spread of an explicit video in February 2025. The footage, described across social media platforms as a private, intimate recording, reportedly showed Mahlangu in a compromising situation, including removing clothing and exposing herself.
The incident reportedly began when Mahlangu, an ANC member, accidentally shared the video in the party’s provincial WhatsApp group instead of a private chat. Within hours, screenshots and clips circulated widely on TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, sparking widespread discussion, memes, and controversy. Many posts highlighted the mayor lifting her belly to reveal private areas or engaging in self-pleasure, leading to hashtags and searches for “Norah Mahlangu trending video” surging in South African online spaces.
The leak drew significant attention due to Mahlangu’s political role. She faced embarrassment and scrutiny, with reports indicating she took leave amid the backlash. The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) defended her in some accounts, while others criticized the incident as distracting from governance issues in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. Comparisons were drawn to similar past scandals involving other politicians.
Social media reactions ranged from shock and ridicule to calls for privacy respect and condemnations of body-shaming. Some users expressed sympathy, noting the mistake of sending to the wrong group, while others questioned leadership suitability. The video’s spread highlighted challenges around digital privacy for public figures in the age of instant sharing.
As of early 2026, discussions about the clip persist in gossip pages and viral compilations, though Mahlangu has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the initial fallout. The episode serves as a reminder of how quickly personal moments can become public spectacles in politics.
