Cult: Understanding Influence, Fandom, and Power in Modern Society

When we talk about a cult, a group bound by intense devotion to a person, idea, or system, often beyond rational explanation. Also known as fanatic movement, it doesn’t always mean secretive sects in remote areas. It’s in the stadiums where fans chant until their voices break, in the boardrooms where leaders are treated like prophets, and in the social feeds where one tweet becomes gospel. A cult isn’t just about blind faith—it’s about control, identity, and the emotional reward of belonging.

Think of José Mourinho. He doesn’t just coach teams—he builds cults of personality. Players, journalists, even rival managers bend to his aura. His praise for Newcastle isn’t just about football; it’s about honoring a legacy tied to Sir Bobby Robson, turning club identity into something sacred. The same goes for Arne Slot at Liverpool. Fans didn’t just want him to win—they wanted him to reach 100 points fast, as if the number itself had meaning. When he fell short, it wasn’t just a loss—it felt like a betrayal. That’s cult energy: emotion over logic, loyalty over results.

It’s not just sports. In Kenya, the viral video of Susan Kihika slapping a aide wasn’t about the slap—it was about who people wanted to believe was guilty. The truth didn’t matter as much as the story that fit their view of power. Africa Check had to step in because the cult of narrative had already taken over. Same with Saudi-backed ownership in Newcastle. Fans don’t just cheer for the team—they cheer for the idea that money can rewrite destiny. And in South Africa, SASSA grants aren’t just payments—they’re lifelines tied to trust in a system many feel is broken. When the R10 increase rolls out, it’s not just cash. It’s proof the state still sees you. That’s cult too: the belief that something bigger is watching, and maybe, just maybe, cares.

These aren’t random stories. They’re all connected by the same force: the human need to follow something bigger than ourselves. Whether it’s a football manager, a political figure, a brand, or a social cause, cults form when logic fades and emotion takes over. The posts below show how this plays out across Africa and beyond—how leadership turns into devotion, how fandom becomes fanaticism, and how power survives not because it’s right, but because people refuse to let go.