Colleen Makhubele
By Thabo Mosia
Colleen Makhubele, former senior member of the Congress of the People (COPE) and the erstwhile Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, has announced her departure from the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) to join Jacob Zuma’s Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party). This development marks a critical juncture in Makhubele’s political career, as she aligns herself with a party that has recently gained traction among former members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), including notable figures such as Floyd Shivambu and Mzwanele Manyi.
Makhubele’s Political Journey: From COPE to SARA
Makhubele’s political journey has been marked by a series of significant roles and controversies. A former senior member of COPE, she made headlines during her tenure as the Speaker of the City of Johannesburg. However, her time in this role was cut short when she was unceremoniously removed, a move that many saw as a reflection of the turbulent political landscape in Johannesburg.
Following her departure from COPE, Makhubele launched the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA), a party that she hoped would offer a fresh perspective on the political scene. SARA positioned itself as a voice for those disillusioned with mainstream politics, focusing on issues of social justice and economic reform. However, the party struggled to gain significant traction in the 2024 elections, failing to secure a substantial voter base or a meaningful presence in the national assembly.
Joining the MK Party: A New Political Alignment
In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, 29 August 2024, Makhubele announced her decision to leave SARA and join the MK Party. She framed this move as a “great and historical step” towards embracing a role that resonates more deeply with her vision for South Africa’s future.
“I, myself, Colleen Makhubele, one of the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) leaders acting on my behalf, have decided to join the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), led by President Jacob Zuma. The party that will steer South Africa into the future, bringing about constructive transformation and advancement in African society,” Makhubele declared.
She emphasized the ideological alignment between her own political convictions and those espoused by the MK Party, particularly its focus on social justice, economic empowerment, and African unity. Citing the enduring words of Robert Sobukwe, Makhubele underscored the need for young leaders, especially women, to step forward and take on the mantle of leadership in South Africa.
“This therefore makes this giant leap that I am taking today a great and historical step towards a role and responsibility that we, as young leaders of South Africa, especially women leaders in this generation, must rise, be counted, and volunteer ourselves to carry,” she stated. “We must offer ourselves to carry on our shoulders the aspirations of our people.”
The MK Party’s Recent Growth
Makhubele’s decision to join the MK Party comes on the heels of other high-profile defections, most notably those of Floyd Shivambu and Mzwanele Manyi, who both recently left the EFF to join the MK Party. Shivambu, known for his sharp criticism of the EFF’s leadership, has been appointed as the National Organizer of the MK Party. Meanwhile, Manyi, a seasoned political strategist, has taken on a senior advisory role within the party.
These developments have fueled speculation about the MK Party’s growing influence in South Africa’s political landscape. Originally a liberation movement aligned with the African National Congress (ANC) during the anti-apartheid struggle, the MK Party has sought to rebrand itself under the leadership of former President Jacob Zuma. The party has positioned itself as a defender of African identity and sovereignty, advocating for a return to the core principles that guided the liberation struggle.
Makhubele’s Vision for the Future
In her statement, Makhubele expressed her optimism about the future of the MK Party and its potential to effect meaningful change in South Africa. She highlighted the party’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation, particularly those related to social inequality and economic disenfranchisement.
“I am today, as a young woman taking this unprecedented pregnant step, ready to sacrifice, ready to serve, and looking forward with a mixture of determination, humility, a bit of anxiety, and excitement to the untold possibilities that lie ahead,” Makhubele said. “I am conscious and very much awake to the consequences of this decision and the reality that this will be a ruthless battle with the established order that relentlessly perpetuates harsh attitudes, malicious propaganda, and hate narratives towards those who sympathize, stand by, and support the progressive movement.”
Makhubele’s rhetoric suggests a readiness to confront the political establishment and to challenge what she perceives as the entrenched power structures that have hindered South Africa’s progress. She framed her move to the MK Party as a deliberate choice to align with a party that she believes has the potential to bring about the “constructive transformation and advancement in African society” that she has long advocated for.
Challenges Ahead for the MK Party
Despite Makhubele’s enthusiasm, the MK Party faces significant challenges as it seeks to establish itself as a formidable political force. The party’s association with Jacob Zuma, a polarizing figure in South African politics, has both attracted supporters and alienated critics. Zuma’s tenure as president was marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, issues that continue to haunt him and, by extension, the MK Party.
Moreover, the MK Party’s appeal to former members of the EFF, such as Shivambu and Manyi, has raised questions about its broader strategy and ideological coherence. While the party has positioned itself as a defender of African identity and a critic of Western imperialism, its actual policy proposals remain somewhat nebulous. Critics have accused the MK Party of relying too heavily on populist rhetoric without offering concrete solutions to the challenges facing South Africa.
Nevertheless, the party’s recent gains suggest that it may be tapping into a growing sense of disillusionment with the existing political order. For many South Africans, the MK Party’s emphasis on African unity and resistance to Western influence resonates with their own frustrations and aspirations. Whether the party can translate this support into electoral success, however, remains to be seen.
Makhubele’s Role in the MK Party
As Makhubele embarks on this new chapter in her political career, her role within the MK Party is likely to be closely watched. Her experience in both COPE and SARA, as well as her time as Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, has given her a unique perspective on the challenges facing South Africa’s political institutions.
Makhubele’s decision to join the MK Party also raises questions about the future of SARA. The party, which she founded with the hope of offering an alternative to the mainstream political landscape, now faces an uncertain future. With its leader departing to join another party, SARA’s prospects in the upcoming elections appear increasingly dim.
In her statement, Makhubele expressed her gratitude to the members of SARA for their support and dedication, but she made it clear that her focus is now on the MK Party and its mission to “bring about constructive transformation and advancement in African society.”
“I thank SARA leadership and its members for the opportunity afforded me to lead and serve our nation,” she said. “Your dedication to SARA, hard work, courage, and fearless determination in the midst of the immense pressure you endured to ensure SARA campaigns, qualified, and participated meaningfully in the 2024 general elections is forever invaluable.”
The Future of SARA
SARA’s performance in the 2024 elections was disappointing, with the party failing to secure a significant number of votes or seats in the national assembly. The party’s inability to resonate with a broader electorate, coupled with internal divisions and a lack of clear leadership, contributed to its poor showing.
Makhubele’s departure from SARA signals the end of a brief but tumultuous chapter in South African politics. The party, which was founded with high hopes of challenging the status quo, now faces the prospect of fading into obscurity. Without Makhubele at the helm, it remains to be seen whether SARA can regroup and rebuild, or whether it will become yet another footnote in the country’s political history.
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