Former Midvaal Democratic Alliance mayor Bongani Baloyi has made a significant political decision by announcing his membership in the uMkhonto weSizwe party. His decision to leave his own party, Xiluva, founded in 2023, to join the ranks of MK, demonstrates a political turnaround that is sure to get people talking.
Baloyi made his MK membership official during a speech at the Gauteng Young Women’s Christian Association hall in Dube, Soweto. He also confirmed that the entire Xiluva executive would follow suit, calling on his supporters from the last general election on 29 May to do the same.
Baloyi stressed that Xiluva would be officially deregistered, and warned that any use of the name after this would constitute misuse, due to the associated trademark and intellectual property rights.
Baloyi’s move to MK is part of a broader trend, where other political figures have also moved in the same direction, such as Colleen Makhubele and Floyd Shivambu.
When asked about the motivations behind the creation of Xiluva and his choice to join MK, Baloyi highlighted a convergence of values and objectives between the two entities. He expressed his belief that MK offered a conducive framework to continue the work he had started with Xiluva.
Despite speculation, Baloyi made it clear that he would decline any offer of deployment to parliament or the provincial legislature, preferring to stay on the ground and focus on concrete actions.
This change of direction by Bongani Baloyi highlights the political dynamics at play, the shifting alliances and the individual aspirations of political actors. His joining MK marks a new phase in his political career, and suggests interesting future developments for the South African political landscape.