Durban — After the umbilical cord that linked him with NFP broke in June, journalist-turned-politician Canaan Mdletshe has officially found a new political home after joining the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
In a candid interview with the Daily News, Mdletshe readily admitted that the decision to dump the NFP – a party he joined when it was formed in 2011 – was not easy.
“This was the most painful and difficult decision I have to take in my life. The NFP was not just a party to me, but I was emotionally attached to the party,” said Mdletshe.
Mdletshe was the late NFP founder Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi’s most trusted ally, having been her spokesperson and later elevated to secretary-general of the party, which broke away from the IFP.
Reflecting on the bond he shared with VZ, as KaMagwaza-Msibi was fondly known by her legion of backers, Mdletshe said their relationship stretched beyond political boundaries.
“I shared a special bond with VZ (KaMagwaza-Msibi). I remember when she was ill and couldn’t speak properly, her family would sometimes call to communicate whatever she wanted to say. That is the bond we shared.”
However, Mdletshe said: “I decided to ditch the NFP because it does not represent the values and traditions that KaMagwaza-Msibi stood for.
“I can’t stay in a party in a coalition with the DA and IFP in KZN. KaMagwaza taught us that the NFP represents the people on the ground. Going into a coalition with a party like the DA is like throwing the votes of the people who voted for us away,” said Mdletshe.
After the May 29 elections failed to produce an outright winner, parties, mostly with clashing political ideologies like the ANC and the DA banded together to form what is called the Government of National Unity (GNU) and a Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KZN.
The NFP, which was a kingmaker with its single seat in KZN, snubbed the MKP and EFF and joined the GPU with the ANC, IFP and the DA.
Mdletshe said this decision by the party irked scores of rank-and-file members.
“That is when I decided it was time for me to leave the NFP because I couldn’t stand the decision. That is when I realised that the party had lost track,” he said.
On June 14, Mdletshe reluctantly resigned as an NFP member, a party he joined after leaving journalism more than a decade ago.
On his decision to join the MKP, Mdletshe said: “I decided to join the MKP because this is a party that represents the aspirations of the people on the ground. I made a long and careful decision not to rush into choosing a party.
“The MKP membership is swelling with people who are joining because they can see that this is the only part that represents them.
“I am joining because I want to be part of this revolution that is happening,” he said.
Mdletshe was officially unveiled by MKP leader Zuma on Saturday in Nkandla during a welcome ceremony of Malesela “King Sebatha” Mkonyama, who trekked from his province of Limpopo to Nkandla, arriving on Friday.
His walk, dubbed #WhereIsMyVote was in protest of the May election, claiming that the election was rigged, an allegation the Electoral Commission (IEC) has denied.
Welcoming Mdletshe, Zuma described him as “a political heavyweight who helped the MKP to grow in support”.
“This man (Mdletshe) is a political heavyweight who has seen it all in politics. I am very proud to introduce him as the new MKP member,” said Zuma to applause.
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