Mzwanele Jimmy Manyi, the former spokesperson for the South African government, was appointed as the chief whip of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in parliament on August 28, replacing Sihle Ngubane.
His appointment follows Manyi’s resignation from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to join the MK Party on August 15.
Manyi, 60, is a geologist by training who has worked for major companies including Anglo-American, Toyota, Barclays Bank, IBM, and Tiger Brands.
He later transitioned to the public sector, thanks to former President Jacob Zuma, who appointed him as Labour Director-General (2009-2011) and later as GCIS director-general (2011-2012).
Manyi acquired the Gupta media empire for R450 million in August 2017 through a vendor financing agreement but liquidated the company a year later.
His political career is marked by several party switches, starting with Manyi’s resignation from the ANC in 2019 to join the African Transformation Movement (ATM), and then leaving the ATM in 2023 to join the EFF.
Press statement by the MK Party on the appointment of Mzwanele Manyi as Chief Whip
Honourable Mzwanele Manyi has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the MK Party with immediate effect. He replaces Honourable Sihle Ngubane who has served diligently in this role.
Honourable Manyi brings a wealth of executive experience to this administrative yet political role, as he served in government as a Director General and led as a corporate executive in the private sector. His extensive expertise will add impetus to the ongoing work within the party, whilst building upon the solid foundation laid by Honourable Ngubane.
We are confident that Honourable Manyi’s leadership will further strengthen our party’s commitment to serving the people with integrity and dedication. Honourable Sihle Ngubane will continue to serve as an ordinary member of the National Assembly as assigned to the committees which he continues to participate in.
