Bongani Baloyi has become the latest prominent politician to join newly formed uMkhonto Wesizwe Party.
Baloyi was welcomed into his new political home during a media briefing held in Soweto on Wednesday where he also announced that Xiluva which he founded last year would be de registered.
Baloyi said the decision follows a bad performance in Xiluva’s maiden election, the May 29 national and provincial elections.
“We gave it our best but the results were not in our favour so we had to sit down and reflect as leadership and following careful assessment we came to the conclusion that uMkhonto Wesizwe stands for what we are and decided that in order to consolidate forces of the left we should join the revolution by becoming members of MK, we are happy to be amongst you,” said Baloyi to loud applause from MKP members that packed the hall in Dube, Soweto.
Baloyi joins a list of well known figures who dumped their organisations in favour of MKP which has become the third largest party and the official opposition after the Democratic Alliance ( the second biggest after ANC) became part of the Government of National Unity.
Others include Floyd Shivambu who resigned as EFF Deputy President to join MK former City of Joburg Speaker Colleen Makhubele who ditched her SARA after a dismal showing in the May 29 poll.
MK Party has been criticised by its rivals for sending new recruits to parliament including former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and the likes of Brian Molefe as well as Lucky Montana who once ran key state owned institutions.
Baloyi said he looked forward to serving MKP “on the ground” and was not desperate for a position.
“ if an offer to go to parliament was to be made I would respectfully decline. This thing needs work from the ground so we can’t all go to parliament or the legislatures,” he said.