South Africa, January 21, 2024 – In a significant development, Bonginkosi Khanyile, known for his involvement in the Fees Must Fall movement and his connection to the July 2021 unrest, has assumed the role of national youth co-ordinator and “volunteer-in-chief” for the newly-formed MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. This decision comes in the wake of Khanyile’s recent expulsion from the Patriotic Alliance, a party led by Gayton Mckenzie, following his participation in an MK rally.
Khanyile’s New Role
In his capacity as the national youth co-ordinator, Khanyile will be responsible for leading the “Umkhonto we Sizwe youth ground forces (MK YGF),” a youth organization aimed at mobilizing and organizing support for the MK party among young South Africans.
Party’s Justification for the Appointment
The MK party released a statement on Saturday justifying Khanyile’s appointment, highlighting his qualifications and commitment to addressing the various challenges confronting the nation’s youth. These challenges include issues like access to free education, employment opportunities, and the ongoing fight against societal problems such as substance abuse and gender-based violence.
According to the party’s statement, “The decision was made after assessing the situation facing the youth in our country and which youth leader would be best suited and fit-for-purpose to lead. His role will be to co-ordinate efforts and organize the youth to rally behind the banner of the MK party, while mobilizing and agitating them to wage popular struggles.”
Youth-Centric Agenda
The MK party further emphasized its commitment to placing the concerns of the youth at the forefront of its agenda. Prioritizing issues such as free education, full employment, the battle against substance abuse, alcohol misuse, and gender-based violence will be central to the party’s mission should they come into power. The statement read, “Ours is to center the agenda of the youth at all material times. Free education, employment for all, a fight against drugs and alcohol, a fight against GBV, and all other social ills top our agendas as the incoming government.”
The party firmly believes that “Comrade Bonginkosi Khanyile has the right credentials and consciousness to lead efforts to overcome the myriad of challenges facing the youth of our country.”
This development marks a significant shift in Khanyile’s political journey and underscores the importance of youth participation in South Africa’s political landscape. As he takes on this new role, many will be watching to see how Khanyile and the MK party aim to address the pressing issues affecting the nation’s youth.
