Cape Town — South African musician and politician, Papa Penny Penny, has ditched the African National Congress (ANC) for Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Penny’s move was a surprise considering the timing so close to elections. He was a councillor for the Guyani municipality in Limpopo and played a crucial role in rallying support for the party in Giyani and the Norman Mashabane region, The Citizen reported.
MK Party spokesperson in Limpopo, Peter Maluleke, confirmed Penny’s role as a new MK party member.
“He resigned from the ANC to join the MK party earlier this week. We welcome Mr Penny Penny into our ranks with two warm hands. Him joining the MK party has since brought wild jubilation to the party because Penny Penny is an asset. He is a respected community builder, a prominent musician and a politician of honour.” Maluleke said,
We are delighted that a renowned artist, Pappa Penny will perform at the MK Party People’s Mandate, on 18 May 2024, at Orlando Stadium.
But the ANC of Ramaphosa, FIkile Mbalula & Paul Mashatile are trying to stop him. #ThePeoplesMandate #MKInOrlandoStadium
Gwaza Mkhonto!… pic.twitter.com/TJCX3x9lxX
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (@MkhontoweSizwex) May 16, 2024
ANC chief whip in the Greater Giyani Municipal Council, Thomas Makondo, also confirmed Penny Penny’s resignation from council.
“As the ANC in council, we accepted his resignation and we wish him well at his new political home. As the ANC, we do not wish to lose members but if is his wish to leave, we accept,” he said.
According to EWN, Penny claimed he gained enemies during his time with the ANC, as he failed to become provincial leader. He also said he would not bash the ANC publicly.
“There is no wife or husband who can divorce without any problems, but I cannot spoil the ANC. I have to talk about my new home, that the problems between me and the people of the ANC.”
Papa Penny said he wants to focus on service delivery, claiming the MK Party will also give him an opportunity to unite the country.
“No one is clean. If you want to go for who’s dirty – everybody is dirty. People need service delivery, we need [a strong] economy in South Africa, we need to bring people together, we have to unite South Africa, we have to clean the suffering people, the poor people in the streets.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
