GIYANI, Limpopo — Legendary musician and former lawmaker Papa Penny Penny has officially stepped into the local government arena, launching his campaign as the Afrika Mayibuye Movement mayoral candidate for Giyani. The iconic artist, whose real name is Eric Gezani Kobane, is pivoting from national politics to tackle grassroots challenges head-on in the Greater Giyani municipality of Limpopo.
The Greater Giyani municipality encompasses more than 90 villages, each grappling with distinct local hurdles. According to Kobane, the most urgent crisis is reliable access to water. Beyond basic services, community members are vocal about the need for economic revitalization.
“One of the biggest challenges in our municipalities is a lack of work opportunities and infrastructural development,” a local resident emphasized. “The leader who takes over power at this level needs to understand that we must create industries so our people are not forced to leave our town to seek opportunities elsewhere.”
Kobane’s political journey is deeply rooted in this community. He previously served as a ward councillor for the African National Congress (ANC) before later becoming a Member of Parliament for the MK Party. Now, he has aligned with Floyd Shivambu’s Afrika Mayibuye Movement, describing the shift as a deliberate, thought-out strategy rather than a random political jump.
Addressing his departure from the MK Party, Kobane clarified that he left peacefully and was not dismissed. He expressed frustration with the constraints of national legislature, stating, “When I went to parliament, they put me on the bench. You can’t put me on the bench. I’m a ground force.” He also cited systemic corruption within the local municipality as a driving factor for his return to grassroots leadership.
At the core of his campaign is a commitment to service delivery and restoring the dignity of ordinary citizens. Kobane firmly dismisses the notion that formal education is the sole prerequisite for effective leadership. “It’s not about school. It’s about talent. It’s about gift. It’s about love,” he explained. Drawing from his humble beginnings, he offered sharp criticism of certain post-1994 educated elites, accusing them of leveraging their degrees to enrich themselves through corruption while the masses remained in poverty. “I grew up poor. I think about people because I was poor,” he noted.
For his devoted fans, the mayoral hopeful assures them that his signature persona remains entirely intact. Famous for his unique “heddu” dance style and vibrant, festive gold suits—a deliberate nod to the mineral wealth of Africa—he insists his authentic self will not change. Furthermore, his musical career is merely on pause. Kobane revealed he has more than 10 unreleased tracks sitting in his studio, with plans to potentially drop new music after November to celebrate his political journey.
Political observers suggest Kobane’s deep regional roots could be a decisive factor for his new party. A political analyst noted that while the musician’s fame might not dominate national headlines, his massive grassroots support in the Giyani and Mopani areas provides a distinct advantage for the Afrika Mayibuye Movement and other smaller political parties. The analyst drew a parallel to the localized political dynamics seen in KwaZulu-Natal during Jacob Zuma’s presidency, illustrating how homegrown leaders naturally galvanize regional voter bases and boost local party performance.
Addressing detractors and skeptics, the mayoral hopeful remains highly confident, framing criticism as free publicity. “When people talk about me, that is a present. They’re promoting me,” Kobane remarked. “People know very well that I’m good. If you do something and you don’t have opposition, it means you are not doing well.”
As the election season intensifies, voters in Giyani face a crowded field of candidates, all fiercely vying for their support. The community will soon decide at the polls whether the rhythm of change will be led by the man who once provided the soundtrack to their region.
