Mayor Mamdani: South Africa is the model for New York

The Spectator ^ | 2 Jan 2026 | Ben Clerkin

[Rummyfan]

The new mayor said at his inauguration that Nelson Mandela's 'Freedom Charter' was his blueprint

The newly-minted Mayor had the stage, but graciously acknowledged that the real star was socialism. “I was elected as a Democratic Socialist and I will govern as a Democratic Socialist.” He hailed an “era of big government,” vowed to govern “expansively and audaciously” and said he would “set an example for the world.”

The grimace-cum-smile on Chuck Schumer’s face – sitting hostage-like behind the mayor, who he has yet to endorse or even say if he voted for – told its own story about exactly how thrilled the mainstream Democratic party is to go into the midterms later this year, and more importantly the 2028 presidential campaign, with Mayor Mamdani as the party’s principal standard bearer. At some point grinning and bearing it won’t be an option, the radical Mamdani platform will have to be embraced or disavowed. It won’t be pretty.

So what can New Yorkers look forward to under their energetic and muscular new form of socialism? Mayor Mamdani gave them clues, advising them to “look to Madiba and the South African Freedom Charter.” The charter that Madiba – Nelson Mandela – helped forge with the ANC was the blueprint for post-apartheid South Africa. It opens with the words “our people have been robbed of their birthright to land, liberty and peace by a form of government founded on injustice and inequality.” Suggesting that apartheid is alive and well in New York will have brought another big gulp from Schumer and the Democratic establishment. The Democrat Socialists of America have so far failed to persuade the country that apartheid exists in Israel, so it’s ambitious to think they can make the case for its existence in New York....

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TOPICS: News/Current Events
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[Rummyfan]

Apparently Mamdani is ignorant of the US Constitution.

[BenLurkin]

South Africa is a disaster.

[Rummyfan]

John Podhoretz
@jpodhoretz
·
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“And from now on, you will change your underwear every 30 minutes. And you will wear it on the outside, so we can check.”

Ben Smith
@semaforben
"We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism," says Mamdani

[Rummyfan]

As in South Africa, the enemy in Mamdani’s New York is often white people. He has already vowed to target “whiter neighborhoods” for higher taxes. In his inaugural speech he zoned in on another set of unprosecuted criminals: billionaires. They think they “can buy our democracy” and for too long New York has belonged to “the wealthy and well-connected.” Billionaires seemingly the scourge of the city and also neatly the solution to its problems – just increase their taxes.

[Responsibility2nd]

Suck it New Yorkers.

[mikey_hates_everything]

Shocking! Not.

[Red Badger]

Apparently Mamdani is ignorant.............................

[Rummyfan]

Of course.. and that is why Mamdani wants to model it.

[Professional Engineer]

Kill the crackers?

[stanne]

“Apparently Mamdani is ignorant of the US Constitution”

It was a rigged election and very low percentage of US citizens voted for him, new hotel liberals

So Apparently Mamdanis supporters are ignorant of the US Constitution

[Rummyfan]

[Rummyfan]

Rob Jenkins
@profontheright
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Zohran Mamdani is uniquely prepared to be the first person in history to make Communism work due to his experience as a trust fund kid and failed rapper.

[Pol-92064]

Is he planning to drive all Casper’s out of the city? G’sus!

[stanne]

It’s hard to watch

[Steely Tom]

Minnesota, Mamdani, and Newsome's California: these must be tie-wrapped around the neck of the Democrat Party as we head toward the November elections.

There will be plenty more to come, don't worry about that.

[ClearCase_guy]

Are they going to start “necklacing” the white people?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Less then 43% of registered voters showed up for the election. Apparently they (the 57% who were just too busy to vote) are ok with what is coming.

[cgbg]

South Africa is fantastic—if you are a member of the elite rulers of the place.

They are filthy rich—loot everything in sight and take huge bribes from whitey to leave them alone.

[SuperLuminal]

A clear declaration of war of extinction against non-believers...

A pedophile worshiper now runs NYC...

[Salman]

Kill White Folks?

NYC already there, but this makes it official.