Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu unveiled a string of new appointments on Wednesday, including former MK Party MP Papa Penny.
Image: Facebook/Papa Penny
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party MP Gezane Eric Kobane, popularly known as “Papa Penny”, has joined the Afrika Mayibuye Movement after resigning from the MK Partt amid internal party conflicts.
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu made the announcement on Wednesday.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, Shivambu said the movement had accepted the membership of the “Shangaan Disco King”, who would play a key leadership role in the organisation.
“We are pleased to announce that we have accepted the membership of Eric Gezani Nkobane, officially known as Penny Penny or Papa Penny, who has joined the Afrika Mayibuye Movement,” Shivambu said.
He said Papa Penny would lead the party’s campaign in the Greater Giyani Local Municipality in Limpopo and surrounding areas.
“Papa Penny is going to play an important role in the leadership of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement. He is going to lead our campaign in the Greater Giyani Local Municipality and all the areas he is able to reach,” Shivambu said.
Shivambu described him as a dependable political figure who had served as a councillor in the Greater Giyani Municipality for more than 10 years.
“He was the best-performing councillor for Ward 5 in the Greater Giyani Municipality and will lead our campaign programme in the municipality,” he said.
Papa Penny was serving as a member of Parliament representing the MK Party.
Last week, he resigned from both Parliament and the MK Party, pointing to internal attacks, vilification and reputational damage allegedly caused by the party’s Limpopo provincial leadership.
In his resignation letter addressed to the party leader former President Jacob Zuma, Papa Penny said he had joined the party voluntarily, fully aware that the struggle for the emancipation of people would come at a personal cost.
However, he said he did not expect those challenges to come from within the organisation.
“I could stomach such behaviour if it were coming from the enemies of our revolution. Unfortunately, when it comes from those within our ranks, it is impossible to overlook such betrayal,” he wrote.
Papa Penny also raised concerns about media statements that he said sought to damage his dignity and reputation, which he had built over decades of hard work, particularly in environments that were not welcoming to people from his background.
“I joined MKP voluntarily, and I served it to the best of my abilities. Kindly accept my resignation, and I wish the party well,” he wrote.
He thanked Zuma for the opportunity to serve in Parliament and contribute to public service.
“Lastly, I would like to thank President Zuma for the opportunity the MKP gave me to be part of the National Parliament and be of service to our people. For that, I will forever be grateful,” he said.
Shivambu also announced several new appointments within the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The appointments include:
-Deputy national organiser, Dr Moselene Du Plessis;
-Head of mobilisation, popular podcast host Themba Nzimande, also known as Skeem GP;
-Head of membership, Precious Mthiyane;
-Head of business development, Nweti Bila;
-Head of elections, Molatelo Mahladisa;
-Coordinator of the religious desk, Lufuno Buda;
-National coordinator of transport, Grace Dlamini; and
-Head of the Mayibuye Agricultural Support Programme, Blessing Ramoba.
Shivambu said the appointments formed part of the movement’s strategy to build organisational capacity ahead of the 2026 local government elections and beyond.
“We call on capable South Africans to engage with the Afrika Mayibuye Movement and listen to its politics and policies because anyone free from racial, narrow ethnic and class prejudices will admit that what Mayibuye says is correct,” he said.
The local government elections will be held on November 4.
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