Former City of Joburg Speaker and leader of the South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara), Colleen Makhubele, has become the latest high-profile leader to join the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) led by former president Jacob Zuma.
Makhubele, who was expelled by her party, Cope, in November after she endorsed newcomers Sara, said in a statement on Thursday that the MK Party was the only party that would steer South Africa forward.
During the May 29 elections, Cope failed to convince South Africans to vote for it and the writing has been on the wall for months that she would join the MK Party, which recently welcomed two former EFF leaders in Floyd Shivambu and Mzwanele Manyi as well as Siyabonga Gama, Lucky Montana and Brian Molefe as its MPs on Wednesday.
“I, myself, Colleen Makhubele, one of the South African Rainbow Alliance leaders, acting on my behalf, have decided to join the uMkhonto weSizwe 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,“ she said.
Makhubele said her decision to join the MK Party was another leap of faith towards realising the aspirations of South Africans who must stand up and be counted and carry the revolution forward.
“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,” Makhubele said.
“We must offer ourselves to carry on our shoulders the aspirations of our people. As young women, we can no longer remain mute and watch from the sidelines of despair on all matters deeply affecting our country. Women must rise now, prepared to work, prepared to pay the price. I believe the MK Party has provided the platform for young progressive leaders to find a political home for expression and service.
“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,“ she said.
On the MK Party and what it stands for, Makhubele said the party had proven itself to be a serious organisation, “intent on bringing a new style of leadership, science, and organised unity to black politics”.
“The entire nation and the continent of Africa are riding on the MK Party to bring back respect for the dignity of an African in the 21st century.
“The MK Party has become a beacon of hope to unite and rally African leaders and their people and a barometer of African politics. In humble gratitude, I thank the Sara leadership and its members for the opportunity afforded me to lead and serve our nation,” Makhubele said.
The Star