Tokyo Sexwale back on the ANC campaign trail
Former Gauteng premier Tokyo Sexwale marked his return to the ANC campaign trail in Ekurhuleni — an area that has seen dwindling votes for the party — by handing out T-shirts and recalling Chris Hani’s memory as umkhonto wesizwe’s (MK’S) chief of staff.
Addressing scores of supporters in Katlehong on Tuesday, Sexwale took a swipe at the new MK party’s leader, former ANC president Jacob Zuma, accusing the organisation of hijacking the ANC’S history.
It was Sexwale’s first political campaign for the ANC since his failed bid for the party’s presidency at its December 2012 national conference, whereafter he was sacked by Zuma as human settlement minister in July 2013.
In his address, Sexwale reminded ANC supporters that the MK brand belonged to the party, not to Zuma’s new formation. He added that he had worked closely with Hani, the former head of the ANC’S military wing.
Hani was assassinated by rightwing extremists in April 1993 at his Ekurhuleni home, not too far from Katlehong. Sexwale was one of the first people on the scene.
Last month, the Pietermaritzburg high court dismissed the ANC’S trademark case against Zuma’s use of the MK name.
On Tuesday Sexwale told supporters: “We are saying, in the name of Chris Hani and other heroes, we stand together as volunteers [and] members of the ANC and we continue the fight.
“We hear that there are people calling themselves umkhonto wesizwe — we are the real umkhonto wesizwe,” he added, to loud applause.
Pointing to his sweater bearing the image of Nelson Mandela, Sexwale reminded his audience that the late statesman was the MK’S first leader, in 1961.
“This person [Mandela] was the first commander-in-chief of umkhonto wesizwe … he did not pick up this esteemed title from the streets. Do not be confused [about others calling themselves MK],” Sexwale said.
Sexwale’s return comes after Gauteng premier and ANC provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi told the Mail & Guardian last week that senior party leaders would be recalled to bolster the party’s hopes ahead of an expected tightly contested election on 29 May.
The ANC’S share of voter support in Ekurhuleni has dwindled from 61.6% during the 2011 local government elections to a low 38.2% in 2021.
Speaking to the M&G last week, Lesufi said the ANC’S election “machinery” required all its leaders to campaign for the party. “It’s 32 days to go, we will surprise you. Write us off at your own peril.”