By Doreen Mokgolo
Bongani Baloyi, the president and founder of the Xhiluva party he formed 18 months ago, has left it to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
He is the latest political leader to move to Jacob Zuma’s MK party, following other figures such as former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, South African Rainbow Alliance president Colleen Makhubele, and former EFF Student Command president Mpho Morolane.
At a press conference in Soweto on Thursday, Baloyi, dressed in full MK attire, announced that the party’s executive team had agreed to deregister Xhiluva from the Independent Electoral Commission.
The party leadership decided they would all join MK and encourage their members to follow suit.
“When we looked at MK, we saw ourselves,” Baloyi said.
“We realised it didn’t have white people involved and decided to join them. The time for fragmentation is over, and now is the time to consolidate progressive forces.”
Xhiluva, meaning “flower,” was launched in March 2023 after Baloyi left ActionSA, where he served as its Gauteng chairperson. He was also a former DA mayor of the Midvaal Local Municipality.
Xhiluva won no provincial legislature or parliamentary seats in the 29 May general elections.
Before the elections, Baloyi told Scrolla.Africa that the party struggled financially, and he covered many expenses out of his own pocket.
Zuma, the president of the MK party, has encouraged small black political parties to unite with MK to bring about meaningful changes in South Africa.
Welcoming Baloyi and other new members in Gauteng, MK supporters sang the famous song Wenzeni uZuma? (What has Zuma done?).
Pictured above: Bongani Baloyi.
Source: Supplied
