Former Democratic Alliance Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi has joined the Umkhonto weSizwe party. (Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Former Democratic Alliance Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi has joined the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and plans to deregister the Sylva party he founded in 2023.
Baloyi announced on Thursday at the Gauteng Young Men's Christian Association hall in Dube, Soweto that all of Silva's top brass would join Jacob Zuma's MK party. He called on all those who voted for him in the May 29 general election to follow suit.
“Silva publications will be deregistered. Anyone claiming to be Silva after deregistration will be making a false declaration as no such organisation exists,” he said.
“Brands and copyrights are legally protected, so it would be very difficult for someone to just take the brand and do whatever they want with it.”
Baloyi joins a host of leaders, including Colleen Makuhubele and Floyd Shivambu, who have left their political parties to join MK.
He said he launched Xiluva to do what the MK party had done successfully.
“What our document says and what Umkhonto weSizwe's document says are the same thing. The people have expressed their opinion, why should we continue,” Baloyi said.
“We have come here to humble ourselves as leaders and declare that we are closing down our organisation. We have found a home. Umkhonto resonates with us and Umkhonto and Silva are one and the same.”
Baloyi said he would not “carry the burden” of what people said about him, regardless of whether they took him seriously or not. He added that he would turn down any offers from MK to serve in the National Assembly or provincial assemblies because he wanted to be on the ground.
“I have no expectations and if offered I would politely decline,” he said.
