FORMER ANC Mpumalanga provincial treasurer, Mandla Msibi, has joined the newly formed Service Delivery Party (SDP).
Msibi was officially welcomed by the founder of the party, Thabo Motau, at his home in Pienaar outside Mbombela on Tuesday, 19 May.
His move comes a month after he stepped down from the African National Congress (ANC), following his failure to secure re-election during the party's Provincial General Council held in March.
Msibi had contested for the position alongside Mbombela Executive Mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, who was elected provincial treasurer.
Addressing supporters, Msibi described his move to the SDP as "only the beginning", saying the party's focus would be on serving communities rather than positions and political clothing.
"When you are a leader, you must make decisions. A T-shirt must not determine that a person votes for a service delivery party. We are moving forward. There isn't enough time until the elections. We need to be more organised and face one direction because when you face one direction, you cannot lose anything because it is going to be simple for all of us."
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Msibi also warned against desperation for political positions.
"Don't even go to sangomas just to get a position. Having a position is not easy," he added.
He said he sees his political journey extending beyond the next elections, but stressed the importance of grooming future leaders.
"This is only the beginning. We are going to 2029, 2031 and 2036, where I will resign from politics because I don't want to be a pensioner who is after positions. We must produce many leaders who will serve people. What is important is serving people, and that doesn't need money. We need to be out there in our communities and address the challenges faced by our people," he said.
Msibi was suspended by the ANC in 2024 after being found guilty of attempting to disrupt the party's January 8 celebrations at Mbombela Stadium by allegedly organising a protest. His suspension was later lifted in 2025.
Political analyst Khanya Vilakazi described Msibi's move as a test for both the politician and the new party.
"This is a test for both the party and the individual. It will prove whether he still has the political pull to attract votes for the new party he has joined," he said.
