Durban - Big political parties should not write off independent candidates or smaller splinter parties in this year’s local government election, political analyst, Somadoda Fikeni, has warned.
He was speaking in light of the emergence of the Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC), formed by former MF councillor Patrick Pillay, and the Academic Congress Union, led by NFP founder, Muzonjani Zulu.
Read: KZN voters spoiled for choice as MF, NFP splinter
Hundreds of other independent candidates are expected to contest the local government election on August 3.
Fikeni said that while there was not much space for political parties on a national level, successful or prominent people could make an impact in local government elections.
“Even those who have been jettisoned by party factionalism out of their parties would still have the ability to attract a sizeable number of people to their side. You can’t dismiss independent candidates or community-based organisations for breaking away from their parties, because they have a substantial voice. Importantly for these people, is for them to have name recognition in communities. Their past achievements will be fundamentally important,” he said.
Pillay, who was a member of the MF for 21 years, said that ever since Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi took over the leadership from her late husband, Amichand Rajbansi, the party had lost its way.
He said a decision to form a new party and not join another party was due to two years of community research.
“I was approached by other parties to join them, but my research showed there was overwhelming support for me to start my own political party. People want a fresh party, and are tired of empty promises and corrupt governance,” he said.
Pillay, who intends standing for re-election in Phoenix’s Ward 51, said he was confident many MF supporters would follow him. “People want a strong leader, and right now they don’t have that with Shameen,” he said.
Thakur-Rajbansi said on Monday that Pillay did not have the courage to officially resign from the MF, and that during his time in the party he had the axe hanging over his head.
“Just informing me, as the MF leader, via the radio and now in your newspaper, flouts MF procedures and simple decency towards a party that built him. If what you are saying is true, then I can safely say that from this point onwards Councillor Pillay is fired from the MF.
“Starting a minority movement with the baggage he leaves behind in causing divisions in the MF and hurting Mr Rajbansi’s legacy is a false start in the Indian community... He was rejected by other parties, therefore the only option is to open his own party.
“However, I wish him well, but I do not approve of misleaders or ungrateful persons,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Academic Congress Union plan to field candidates in the eThekwini metro and local municipalities in the districts of uMzinyathi, uThungulu, iLembe, Zululand and uThukela.
Its founder and former NFP member, Zulu, said his party boasted former members from other parties, especially the NFP.
“We have a mixture of people that come from the IFP, DA, ANC and NFP,” he said.
The number of recruited members was not available because of the lack of a database.
The party wants to elect its leaders in “important positions at both provincial and national” to be educated individuals.
The party membership was also open to anyone, the former school principal said.
“Anyone can be a member, but top positions would be held by intellectuals,” he said.
NFP chairman, Maliyakhe Shelembe, said the departure of Zulu was “good riddance”.
“People will soon know that the party belongs to him,” Shelembe said.
Shelembe also said Zulu did not know what challenges faced him in forming a party.
Xolani Dube, of the Xubera Institute for Research, dismissed the ACU as a dream that was unlikely to be realised.
“The space for such political parties is not there. South African politics has moved to a level of money and professionalism,” Dube said.
He doubted the party would attract membership as voters were cautious of new parties.
Daily News