Tsonga disco king Papa Penny defied ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile and secretary-general Fikile Mbalula’s instructions not to perform at the MK Party’s election event held at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
Papa Penny’s contemptuous defiance of his political principals is contained in the trio’s WhatsApp conversation leaked to us on Tuesday.
In the conversation that Sunday World has seen, Mbalula asked Papa Penny not to perform at the launch of former president Jacob Zuma’s party manifesto, even raising doubts about his loyalty to the ruling party.
“Are you an ANC member?” asked Mbalula.
But Papa Penny threw him a zap sign, saying he would go and strut his stuff because he was an artist.
After the exchanges, Papa Penny said he would resign from the ANC, citing illtreatment from his political masters.
“I’m an artist with respect; if you think I’m wrong, I will resign,” he replied.
But Mbalula nuzzled him not to resign, saying he should not destroy his career because of Zuma.
“No, you can’t resign from the party because of Zuma. No, Papa Penny, I refuse,” he wrote.
But the musician, who commands a sizeable amount of support in his area, which falls under Giyani, pulled the trigger on his membership card just days before the elections. “I’m leaving ANC this coming Monday due to treatment,” he said.
Mashatile attempted to persuade Papa Penny not to leave the ANC, but he hit a brick wall.
“No need to leave. I am sure we can resolve the problem. Will arrange to see you when back home,” said Mashatile.
Papa Penny on Saturday wowed the MK Party supporters when he performed at the party’s manifesto launch in Orlando Stadium. The event on Saturday was one of MK’s last pushes to pull voters ahead of the elections scheduled to take place on May 29.
Papa Penny told Sunday World that he had ditched the ANC after the exchanges he had with Mashatile and Mbalula.
“I have resigned. I have sent them all the letters and everything. I have resigned,” he said. He added that he was not in any position to divulge his next move or reasons for his exit at the moment.
Mbalula had not responded to Sunday World ‘s questions by the time of publication.
Papa Penny isn’t the first artist to disagree with Mbalula about which gig they should take.
Mbalula had a public spat with the late kwasa kwasa king Malo A Botsheba, who took a paid gig to brand his phalanx of vehicles in ANC colours in support of dismissed party secretary Ace Magashule. Mbalula called him a “fool” and told him “to go to the nearest hell”.
