By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Secretary General of the National Freedom Party (NFP), Canaan Mdletshe has described the decision to leave the party to join MK Party as the most painful and difficult decision he had to take in his life.
Mdletshe was officially unveiled by MK Party leader Jacob Zuma on Saturday in Nkandla during a welcome ceremony of Malesela “King Sebatha” Mkonyama.
“This was the most painful and difficult decision I have to take in my life. The NFP was not just a party to me, but I was emotionally attached to the party,” said Mdletshe.
Mdletshe was the late NFP founder Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi’s most trusted ally, having been her spokesperson and later elevated to secretary-general of the party, which broke away from the IFP.
Reflecting on the bond he shared with VZ, as KaMagwaza-Msibi was fondly known by her legion of backers, Mdletshe said their relationship stretched beyond political boundaries.
“I shared a special bond with VZ (KaMagwaza-Msibi). I remember when she was ill and couldn’t speak properly, her family would sometimes call to communicate whatever she wanted to say. That is the bond we shared.”
However, Mdletshe said: “I decided to ditch the NFP because it does not represent the values and traditions that KaMagwaza-Msibi stood for.”
“I can’t stay in a party in a coalition with the DA and IFP in KZN. KaMagwaza taught us that the NFP represents the people on the ground. Going into a coalition with a party like the DA is like throwing the votes of the people who voted for us away,” said Mdletshe.
The NFP, which was a kingmaker with its single seat in KZN, snubbed the MK Party and EFF and joined the GPU with the ANC, IFP and the DA.
The latest additions come amid concerns of internal spats over leadership positions, with reports that the party’s Secretary-General Arthur Zwane has again been fired by Zuma.