Mazibuye African Congress

Mazibuye African Congress hold a press conference in Durban (SABC / Twitter / Fanele Mhlongo)

No whites, no Indians: Mazibuye party deny “racism” over membership policy

President Reggie Ngcobo said “Indians see themselves as whites”, before dismissing claims his party was racist.

Mazibuye African Congress

Mazibuye African Congress hold a press conference in Durban (SABC / Twitter / Fanele Mhlongo)

New political party Mazibuye African Congress (MAC) have come under fire for banning white and Indian citizens from registering with them.

As eNCA report, they have drawn a very clear line in the sand.

The pro-Zuma movement have formed a party to contest the 2019 elections in South Africa. They prioritise land redistribution and support radical economic transformation, holding Msholozi up as their inspiration.

While Zuma has denied the links, MAC confirmed that they met with the ex-president and sought his advice prior to officially forming.

Who is allowed to join Mazibuye African Congress?

However, Mazibuye revealed at a press conference in Durban on Thursday that only “black or coloured” South Africans could register with the party, raising questions about racial exclusivity.

Romeo Matjila is the party’s Secretary General, and he was forced to dismiss a reporter’s concerns about racism as soon as they announced that whites and Indians were not able to apply for membership.

“This isn’t racist, it’s actually an anti-racist statement. We are trying to deal with the evils of apartheid and racism. It’s up to us as black people to emancipate ourselves.”

“Now, if emancipating ourselves is classed as racist, then let it be. We are not going to be apologetic on that one.”

Mazibuye fight racism claims

Reggie Ngcobo is the president of the Mazibuye African Congress. He too used the media briefing to deny that their policies are in any way racist, claiming that Indians “see themselves as whites”:

“With the issue of Indians‚ Indians are seeing themselves as next to the whites by their behaviour. So we know that we were oppressed equally or more than them but we respect their existence‚ but we are not racist.”

“But what we are saying you can’t do the traditional binding of your home with a witch. You can’t do that. So that’s our logic.”

Mazibuye stated earlier in the year that they are supported by church-goers, business figures, traditional leaders and even some full-time ANC members disgruntled with the party’s ousting of JZ.