By Zukile Majova
Political Editor
Jacob Zuma’s bid for the presidency is gaining momentum in KwaZulu-Natal, where he reeled in a big fish in the form of northern Zululand businessman Ziba Jiyane.
Jiyane is the owner of Masithembe Bus Transport, once a powerful rural bus service in the Richards Bay and Empangeni region that boasted a fleet of 126 buses.
When he returned to politics in the mid-2000s, Jiyane became so popular with IFP members that he was elected party chairperson, a rank just below that of founding president, the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The two later had a fallout, resulting in Jiyane jumping ship to form his own party, Nadeco.
Confirming his decision to once again return to politics this week, Jiyane, who is also a struggle veteran, said he was in the trenches with Zuma.
The former freedom fighter who was in exile with the PAC’s Apla (the Azanian People’s Liberation Army) and stationed in Tanzania, was also in charge of the PAC’s now defunct Radio Freedom.
“Yes I have joined the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party as an ordinary member. We were with Msholozi in the frontline states of Southern Africa’s military camps of uMkhonto weSizwe and Apla respectively,” said Jiyane.
Jiyane’s decision follows a meeting between Zuma and PAC President Mzwanele Nyhontso at Zuma’s home of Kwadakwadunuse in Nkandla at the weekend.
The once-powerful IFP chairman is however criticised for his lack of loyalty to political parties and has spent the past decade jumping from one party to the next.
Jiyane left the IFP and formed Nadeco, then he joined the DA, then jumped to the IFP splinter party the NFP, before joining the ANC and now the MK Party.
Buthelezi created an impression that Jiyane was into politics for positions which resulted in their fallout.
It is not clear what role Jiyane will play in the MK Party because it has not yet held an elective conference to choose leaders for national and provincial structures.
Pictured above: Popular sometime-politician and businessman Ziba Jiyane.
Image source: X
