Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, was named Newsmaker of the Year 2025 at an event in Pretoria. In his acceptance speech on Friday, Mkhwanazi emphasized the urgent need for principled leadership, accountability, and a stance against corruption, incompetence, and criminality in South Africa. He stated that the country is at a critical juncture where institutions risk fearing the truth more than lawlessness. Mkhwanazi stressed that his actions are guided by duty and his oath as a police officer, not by a desire for popularity, and dedicated the award to the honest and committed members of the South African Police Service who serve with integrity despite challenging conditions.