MKP secretary-general Floyd Shivambu during a press briefing to elaborate on the party’s first anniversary rally to be held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.
CHRISTMAS has come early for accommodation establishments in Durban which have seen a steady stream of bookings largely by supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) who are in the city for their first anniversary rally tomorrow.
According to MKP secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, several guests as well as party members were expected to fill the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Earlier this week he told the media in Durban that members and leaders of other parties were also invited to their event. This included the EFF which is holding its third National Peoples' Assembly (NPA) to elect its leadership this weekend, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM), which is part of the Progressive Caucus, a group of political parties opposed to the Government of National Unity.
Shivambu told the media that most leaders from the MKP’s progressive caucus partners have already confirmed their attendance.
“Not only the leadership of the ATM is going to attend, but they have also encouraged their members to come and attend the first anniversary of the MKP.
“This is uniting the movement to the extent that the different political organisations even have elaborate transport plans for their members to celebrate the first anniversary of the MKP,” he said.
He said other party leaders who were expected to attend would have the opportunity to share messages of support. “These are our strategic friends in terms of the agenda that we pursued. “We know this as a matter of fact because we have had direct interaction with the leadership of the ATM, that confirmed that its entire leadership that is going to come.”
“This is uniting the movement to the extent that the different political organisations even have elaborate transport plans for their members,” said Shivambu.
He warned those who were expected to attend that firearms would not be allowed in the stadium.
“Traditional weapons will only be permitted and approved for amabutho (Zulu regiment) because an official application and approval that was made in regard to permitting amabutho to carry traditional weapons and they will be moving in a clearly defined route, which will end up on the pitch of the stadium. “There will not be distribution and sale of alcohol in the event itself as it is the alcohol-free event,” he said.
Ayanda Mnandu the reservation manager at the Onomo Hotel in Durban said that 20 rooms had been booked by a group for the weekend, although she could not tell if this was in connection with the MKP event because such information was not required during bookings.
Mnyandu said events such as big rallies would normally benefit the city’s hospitality industry. She said their hotel had received a huge number of bookings from holidaymakers who wanted to enjoy the city’s warm weather conditions and the beaches.
A receptionist at another hotel, who asked for the name of the establishment not to be disclosed, said all their rooms were booked for the weekend. “ But I am not sure if it is part of the MKP rally or if it is our normal guests,” she said.
The receptionist said it was normal for the hotel to be fully booked during the end-of-the-year holidays.
“We were fully booked last weekend and we are fully booked for the whole season and every season comes with excitement for the hospitality industry,” she said.
Several other hotels said they were also fully booked up to 1 January.