Johnathan Paoli
Newly sworn-in Member of Parliament John Hlophe said land reform in the country remained one of the top priorities of the party in its drive for transformation.
“We stand for the issue of land in this country and we are not apologetic about it. We want every South African, Black or white, to have access to land,” Hlophe said while calling for the Africanisation of the law, adding that the land can never be the subject of private ownership as it belonged to the nation.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Cape Town on Tuesday, the former Western Cape Judge President said the party was looking forward to engagement in the National Assembly and would not be dissuaded from the principles they stand for and the issues they want to engage.
Hlophe confirmed that he was leader of the party in Parliament, but that former President Jacob Zuma remained the official leader of the party as a whole.
“We consider ourselves as the official opposition in this country and we are going to work very closely with other progressive parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and others,” he said.
Hlophe said the party is here to work and would stay above petty politics.
“We have been elected by the people of this country, and we are going to engage in a very robust debate, but in a respectful manner,” he said.
He took a swipe at the ANC and said under the leadership of President Cyril Rampahosa, the ruling party has lost its way and no longer represents the poor and landless.
Earlier today 58 MK members were sworn-in including Black Land First leader Andile Mngxitama, Muvhango actress Phindile Gwala, former EFF MP Moses Mbatha, former Finance Minister Des van Rooyen, SuperSport United Communication Director David Skosana, Duduzile Zuma and Visvin Reddy, a KZN businessman accused of inciting violence.
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