ANC Music composer Gamelihle Mbuyane has resigned as a member of the ANC and instructed the party to discontinue using his songs for any party activities which includes “Phakama Ramaphosa, Asinavalo and Unity Maqabane”
In a letter dated 10 January 2024, directed to the Mpumalanga chairman Mandla Ndlovu, Mpumalanga secretary Muzi Chriwa and the party’s secretary-general at Luthuli House, Mbuyane, who has not given reasons for his immediate resignation from the party, indicated that he will do so at a later stage and should there be a reason to.
“It gives me great pleasure to have been a member of the ANC and even greater pride to have adequately supported with my voice. However, I Gamelihle Mbuyane membership no 5818425041, hereby notify you that I’m resigning as a member of the ANC with immediate effect.”
Mbuyane also said that after careful evaluation of the Copy Rights Act 1978, he is entitled to all the revolutionary songs sung by his voice.
“I hereby notify you to cease using the struggle songs with my voice to campaign and the other three songs which were composed by me, Asinavalo, Asiwafuni Amagawala and Unity Maqabane. I appeal to the party to discontinue playing all the songs, with my voice or written by me with immediate effect,” he said.
“Failing to do so will be an infringement of the Copyright Act, and it will be within my constitutional right to take legal action against such.”
The ANC in Mpumalanga has not reacted to the resignation.