Rustenburg – The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) significantly boosted its ranks on Friday, welcoming eight new members, including prominent figures from rival political parties, at a rally in Marikana. The influx of experienced politicians signals a growing challenge to the established political order in South Africa.
The event, presided over by MKP chairperson Nathi Nhleko and newly appointed national organiser Joe Ndhlela, underscored the party’s ambitious recruitment strategy, hinted at recently by deputy chief whip Muzi Ntshingila. Ntshingila had previously indicated that the MKP’s compelling message was attracting significant interest from seasoned political leaders seeking a platform for meaningful change.
In a statement to City Press, Motsi explained his departure, saying: "The EFF’s taken a wrong turn and now it’s dead. It’s that simple." His defection is a considerable blow to the EFF, highlighting internal divisions and dissatisfaction within the party.
Joining Motsi in the MKP are several other prominent figures, each bringing a wealth of political experience. These include Bigboy Moagi, former North West convener for Rise Mzansi; Sophie Molokoane-Machika, a former ANC member and ex-mayor of Madibeng; and Thabo Sehloho, a former EFF Member of the Provincial Legislature in the North West. Also joining the party are Msoza Motlashuping, Siyamthanda Nombulelo, and Zakes Mothobi.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Nhleko delivered a powerful speech focusing on the critical need for black South Africans to unite and collectively address their socio-economic challenges. He highlighted the stark realities faced by many, contrasting the rhetoric of freedom with the persistent inequalities that remain.
"The fact of the matter is that MKP is our last opportunity," Nhleko stated. "We have seen comrades that what we called freedom for 30 years was reduced to nothing else but the right to vote, food parcels, water, electricity, water tankers and R350 [SRD], those basic things. Our situation as we are here, is that we are landowners in name only, we own nothing – including these mines surrounding this area – [they are] not ours they are owned by England.”
He continued, forcefully stating: “This needs to change, it can never be that as black people in particular, that we have to accept this.” Nhleko’s words resonated deeply with the audience, reflecting a widespread sentiment of disillusionment with the current political landscape.
Nhleko further criticised the acceptance of substandard living conditions, particularly the prevalence of shacks and the lack of homeownership among many. He specifically mentioned the generation born in 1994, often referred to as "Tintswalos" by President Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighting the irony that many of these "born-frees," now in their thirties, still lack even the most basic housing security.
"I don’t think we should normalise those conditions," Nhleko emphasised. "This is our opportunity, that we did not know we might have, but because of president [Jacob] Zuma, it was seen as appropriate to have a platform used to change this situation. And MK[P] is that platform."
He presented the MKP as the essential vehicle for achieving meaningful change, the sole instrument capable of transforming the lives of black South Africans. He praised the new members for their decision to join the movement, viewing their commitment as a crucial step towards a brighter future. Nhleko stressed the importance of unity within the MKP, warning against internal divisions that could undermine their collective efforts.
Drawing a stark contrast between the unity of white political parties and the fragmentation within black-led parties, Nhleko observed: "In Parliament, you find the ANC, PAC, UDM, EFF and IFP — all offshoots of the ANC," he said. "Can you see the problem? The Parliament is full of black leaders, yet we are divided, and the minority leads us."
He argued that the Democratic Alliance (DA), despite having black leaders, ultimately serves the interests of white English-speaking South Africans, while the Freedom Front Plus prioritises the concerns of white Afrikaners. He asserted that the white minority maintains a cohesive agenda, while black political parties remain fractured.
The MKP, he declared, aims to unite black South Africans under a single banner, driving a collective mission for liberation and a secure future. The rally concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear indication that the MKP is poised to become a significant player in South Africa's political arena.
