Akani Nkuna
South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) party leader, Colleen Makhubele has resigned from her role as party president to join the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party led by former President Jacob Zuma.
Makhubele joins the list of leading black professionals who have recently joined the MK Party and were sworn in parliament on Wednesday.
The list includes former heads of State-Owned Enterprises – Transnet’s Siyabonga Gama, Eskom’s Brian Molefe and Prasa’s Lucky Montana.
Makhubele expressed her gratitude to SARA and its members for the “opportunity afforded to lead and serve the nation” as she jumped ship.
“I believe the MK Party [provides] the platform for young progressive leaders to find a political home for expression and service,” said Makhubele.
“As a young woman taking this unprecedented pregnant step, ready to sacrifice, ready to serve, and looking forward with a mixture of determination, humility, a bit of anxiety, and excitement to the untold possibilities that lie ahead,” Makhubele added.
Makhubele said that she is aware and accepts the consequences this decision will have on her and she is ready to take on the established order which perpetuates malicious propaganda towards those supporting the progressive movement.
In addition, she encouraged the “progressive forces” to fight against a well-resourced and biased media which conforms to the dominant ideology of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
MK Party is the third biggest political party in the country, and therefore offers a bigger platform through which to challenge government policies, she said.
Makhubele encouraged the consolidation of minority parties and that her joining of MK Party will serve to amplify the work SARA sought out to do.
She further invited other parties whose principles resonate with those of the MK Party to join forces and not be derailed nor discouraged in their desires to do so by right extremist propaganda.
“The coexistence and cooperation of African parties is possible; the time for Balkanisation of South Africa through small parties into tribes, races, and religion is over,” said Makhubele.
Makhubele is no stranger to South African politics. Before SARA was founded in 2023, she was a member of the Congress of the People (COPE) which she represented as the Speaker of City of Johannesburg Metro Council.
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