The Star Late Edition

Manyi, driven by self-interest, is loyal only to himself

- THABILE MANGE | Mogale City

OUR politics is no longer driven by ideology but by greed. Hence, they move from one political party to the other. This is what is aptly called politics of the stomach.

The case of Mzwanele Manyi is instructiv­e. Manyi moved from the ANC to the ATM to the EFF. Clearly, he is looking for greener pastures. Is it wrong? There is no easy answer.

When politician­s push their interests, and not that of the masses or voters, it is a problem. They are not there to better the lives of the poor but theirs. That’s why there is lack of service delivery.

Today, we have politician­s who are richer than entreprene­urs. How do they make their money? By manipulati­ng the government system to favour them, in order to benefit financiall­y.

In one of the African countries, there was a president who was richer than the country. When the country faced economic challenges, he lent it money. Yet he is the one who bankrupted it.

I’m not surprised Manyi left the ATM in a huff to join the EFF. He is not loyal to anyone but himself. I will not be surprised if he leaves the EFF in future for another political party.

I always had a problem with Manyi being the spokespers­on of the Jacob Zuma Foundation while serving in the ATM executive. He appeared on TV as a spokespers­on of the Zuma Foundation more than as an ATM member.

The pertinent question is: Will he continue serving the Zuma Foundation as a spokespers­on? I don’t know. But one thing for sure, the EFF president Julius Malema won’t tolerate that nonsense.

Manyi has a right to join any political party he wants. However, he should know that the EFF leadership does not trust him, given his record of ditching political parties for others. He has no one to blame but himself.

 ?? | GCIS ?? MZWANELE Manyi encapsulat­es what the needs of the country’s politician­s are – me, myself, I, says the writer.
| GCIS MZWANELE Manyi encapsulat­es what the needs of the country’s politician­s are – me, myself, I, says the writer.

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