By Johnathan Paoli
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Nqaba Bhanga announced his return to the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape, days away from the upcoming May 29 elections.
Bhanga’s return was announced in addition to Themba Mangqase and Eric Jinikwe at the ANC regional headquarters in Gqeberha on Thursday, and is expected to begin campaigning for the party in the province.
ANC NMB acting secretary Siphiwo Tshaka welcomed him and said the ANC was more attractive to people, now that it was “back on track”.
Bhanga was previously a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), but resigned from the party and as a member of the Eastern Cape legislature in December – just hours after his party membership was terminated.
He was suspended from party activities in June 2023 after he accused the party’s federal council chairperson Helen Zille of being a racist in a social media post.
Before this Bhanga was a member of the Congress of the People (Cope) member. He joined the DA in 2014. He was also a former Congress of South Africa Students (Cosas) leader and national secretary-general of the South African Students’ Congress (Sasco), before that.
He said he has returned to his political home and expressed his confidence at the victory of the ruling party.
“My past is over now, I’m finished with the DA. I want to contribute to the movement, people in the party know my skills,” Bhanga said.
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