By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Student activist Bonginkosi Khanyile has found a new political home following failed stints in the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Khanyile was unveiled as the latest addition to uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party on Saturday.
MK secretary Thanduxolo Dyodo said, “The decision was made after “a thorough assessment of issues facing the youth.”
“Bonginkosi Khanyile has the right credentials and consciousness to lead efforts to overcome the myriad of challenges facing the youth.
“His role will be to coordinate efforts and organise youth to rally behind the banner of the MK Party whilst mobilising and agitating them to wage popular struggles,” Dyodo said in a press release on Saturday.
Khanyile was expelled by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) last December after he attended an MK rally addressed by hero, former president Jacob Zuma.
The former #FeesMustFall activist was the PA’s premier KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier candidate and its youth wing leader.
Khanyile was a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ANC before joining PA.
He was charged with inciting public violence and holding an illegal gathering following the destructive July 2021 riots.
Meanwhile ANC in Mpumalanga has suffered a blow with the announcement by MK party that one of the ruling party’s former heavyweights in the province, Andries Gamede, would be one of its provincial co-ordinators.
Gamede has held a string of senior positions in the ANC in the province and in government.
He was a former mayor of both Mkhondo and the Gert Sibande District Municipality.
Gamede holds great power and influence in Mpumalanga, with his base situated mostly in Gert Sibande, the biggest region in the province.
He was instrumental in the unseating of the ANC in the Piet Retief Local Municipality when the party lost its powerful seats in the mayorship, speaker and chief whip for the first time since the dawn of democracy.
Gamede had formed the Independent Community Movement Association, a civic organisation that fielded independent candidates in the last local elections.
Gamede’s news comes after the announcement by Black First Land First (BLF) leader Andile Mngxitama that he and members of his organisation would be voting for the MK party.
Mngxitama’s decision to join forces with MK follows in the footsteps of the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), the All African Alliance Movement (AAAM) and the PAC.