The former 947 breakfast show host revealed that he had been in discussions with Democratic Alliance (DA) leaders, including MP Ross Purdon, about joining the political party in some capacity, as the official opposition prepares to contest the 2019 national elections.
Mansfield said that after meeting with the leadership on December 31, he decided to pursue a political career. He will meet with the party's Gauteng leadership in the next few weeks to discuss what role he will play in the party going forward, but he hopes to use his experience in broadcasting to fix the wrongs at the SABC.
"My role is up to the party and where they decide to put me. I am happy with wherever they decide to put me, but I know that I can assist in possibly cleaning up the problems at the SABC and broadcasting. Also, perhaps in the portfolio of Arts and Culture. My passion is also animal rights so that could play a part. If the party sees fit, I would love to work on any of those portfolios in Parliament," Mansfield said.
Speaking of how he could help at the public broadcaster, Mansfield said that the SABC faced many challenges that he would be able to correct.
"First of all, the SABC needs to keep its mandate as a public broadcaster and not a voice of the ANC. The only way to rectify that is by sorting out the board and management at the SABC on a parliamentary level. In the portfolio of Arts and Culture, from what I have heard from people in the industry, there is not enough engagement between the parties who run the portfolio and people in the industry," Mansfield added.
Mansfield announced his political ambitions via social media this week, telling his friends and fans that he wanted to make a difference in the country.
The decision surprised many, who assumed that Mansfield may eventually emigrate to one of the properties he owns overseas.
Mansfield acknowledged that he travels between these properties, but said that it was never his intention to "flee" the country.
"I was never running. I was just p*ssed off (at the situation in the country). I would never emigrate. I made a commitment to myself that if I wanted to stay in South Africa, I would need to do something to change the political climate, because there is so much wrong with the ANC that is not being put right. I have to make a difference," Mansfield added
But Mansfield's decision was not without criticism. Hours after announcing his political ambitions, critics accused him of being a wife beater and using his celebrity status for political gain.
Mansfield said that he could have taken legal action against his detractors, but instead chose to laugh off the criticism.
"I have faced criticism and hate for many years. This is not something new. I tried to respond to each criticism directly but I ended up just laughing at the situation. It (criticism) does not faze me," Mansfield said.
He also responded to the tirade of abuse on social media, declaring in a Facebook post: "I have been accused of wife abuse, entering politics for financial gain and been told I am not a pleasant person for a variety of reasons. And that's before I've even gone into politics! I am already starting to grow my thick skin, because when I am there I will be even more vocal."i
