Siphelele Nketo
THE Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) is seemingly expanding its political footprint into farm areas of Kokstad under the Harry Gwala district. This followed a welcoming party last weekend for new members from the farm area of Franklin. The party mentioned its targeting of Thuthukani, another farm area around Kokstad.
Regional coordinator Bongani Msomi engaged community structures in Kokstad this week as part of activating community-based support ahead of municipal elections on November 4.
“I interacted with religious fraternity groups, traditional formations, business sectors as well as key individuals who have influence in their communities. This is a strategic way to gain massive support during elections,” he said. He described the mobilisation programme as a success. Among the new MKP members that joined was Luvuyo Nongimba who has been a member of ANC in the Bhongweni area.
Nongimba cited unhappiness from the ranks of the ANC as the main reason for his exit.
“When I raised community concerns with the intention of seeking answers, I was removed from the organisation’s WhatsApp group in my ward,” he claimed. He said his decision to join MKP was not an easy one after so many years in the ANC. Thoneka Mngonyama, the ANC Kokstad sub-regional task team coordinator, said that the organisation only heard from word on the ground that Nongimba had left the organisation.
