By Thabo Mosia
On 5 September 2024, former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi made headlines by officially announcing his move to Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party during a media briefing in Soweto. Baloyi, who had previously led the Xiluva Party, stated that Xiluva Political Party would be deregistered, and its members would become ground forces for the MK Party .
Baloyi’s Political History
Baloyi’s political career has been a journey through several key political entities. He initially rose to prominence as a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), where he served for 14 years and became the youngest mayor in South Africa at Midvaal Municipality. After leaving the DA in 2021, Baloyi joined ActionSA, where he became the party’s Gauteng chairperson. However, his tenure at ActionSA was short-lived, and in 2023, he launched his own political party, Xiluva, hoping to build a new political alternative .
Unfortunately, Xiluva’s performance in the 2024 national general elections was underwhelming, prompting Baloyi to reconsider his political future. After discussions with various parties, he found that the MK Party’s values aligned most closely with his own, particularly its focus on consolidating left-leaning movements for the empowerment of black South Africans .
The Rise of the MK Party
The MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, has been gaining traction in South African politics, attracting a host of notable figures. Baloyi joins a list of prominent politicians who have recently moved to the MK Party, including Floyd Shivambu, Mzwanele Manyi, Colleen Makhubele, and former EFF member Mmabatho Mokause. These high-profile memberships have significantly boosted the party’s profile as it aims to consolidate the left and challenge the status quo .
Baloyi praised Zuma’s leadership and vision, citing it as one of the main reasons for his decision to join the party. He called for black political unity under the leadership of the MK Party, stressing the importance of left-wing forces coming together for the benefit of South Africans .
Julius Malema’s Reaction
While Baloyi’s defection to the MK Party has been widely covered, there has been speculation about Julius Malema’s stance on the matter. Malema, who had previously tried to recruit Baloyi to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has yet to make a public statement regarding Baloyi’s decision. However, political analysts suggest that the growing strength of the MK Party, particularly with the recruitment of figures like Shivambu, may pose a direct challenge to the EFF’s positioning as the dominant left-wing opposition in South Africa .
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