Little hope for Khoza’s ‘party of unity’
FORMER ANC MP Makhosi Khoza’s dream to start her own party along with other disgruntled former members of political parties could be “a dream too big”.
Khoza this week revealed her plans to create a new party that will challenge the big three parties in the 2019 elections.
But political analysts believe a new party, born out of anger, will not survive and her thirst for success may be the reason behind its quick demise.
Political analyst Bheki Mngomezulu said Khoza was “too ambitious and cannot be trusted”, as she had said she wouldn’t create her own party or join a new one because the ANC was her home.
“She doesn’t respect the opinions of others, and after eyeing many positions in the provincial and national scenes and not getting her way, she resigned,” Mngomezulu said.
He said the reason behind Khoza creating her own political party was so she could exercise her authority “because she had no place to do so”.
“I will say what I said when Dr Mamphela Ramphele came up with Agang. It will disappear before they can even have a foot in the door. There is no future for her party and it will not succeed,” Mngomezulu said.
Echoing his words, fellow political analyst Protas Madlala also predicted a short future for Khoza’s party.
“There are actually too many opposition parties now, and most look like a one-man or onewoman show. You don’t form a party out of anger.”
Comparing the prospects of Khoza’s party to Cope, he said it was a party that had everything, “but look where it is now”.
He added that starting a new political party was very costly and questioned where Khoza would source the funding.
“I wish her all the best but I don’t see it working. This will probably be another income-generating thing for herself, but it won’t last long,” he said.
Analysts also questioned who would be the target market for Khoza’s new party, with many wondering if this was just to target former ANC supporters.
University of KZN-based political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said he was surprised to hear Khoza’s announcement as he expected her to wait and take action only after the ANC conference next month.
“Her announcement is quite premature as everything would be decided after the conference. If (Cyril) Ramaphosa wins it won’t do her any good to start another party,” Ndlovu said.
Khoza said the new party’s official launch was scheduled for next year, adding that the party had “a lot of comrades who are coming from the ANC”, while others would join the party from the DA and EFF, with the United Front of Civics and the Forum 4 Service Delivery already on board.
She added that some members of the National Freedom Party would also be joining.
She said the new party was a merger between several parties, as they had seen South Africa fragmenting and being divided while their aim was unity, adding it was time the ANC handed over the reins.