Sapromo’s Sibusiso Hlolweni from eMbalenhle says he is a politician by calling

Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni has made a name for himself as a spirit-filled politician.

He is the founder and president of the Sakhisizwe Progressive Movement and strongly believes that politics is his calling. He became a devoted born-again Christian at the age of nine and was inspired by a pastor who did a crusade in his area.

His interest in politics began in 2011 when he was working as a life coach at the Kohin Youth Company at Nqobangolwazi High School.

He said that was where he had an encounter with God who revealed to him his calling in politics.

Mr Hlolweni resigned his job to pursue what God has called him to do.

“One day I was doing shopping in Ermelo when I had a vision in which I was a politician. This struck my spirit like a flash of light. After that I could not rest and I tried to figure out what it meant. While I was still puzzled, I came across the ANC’s office in the main street of Ermelo. I went in and asked for a membership form. I wanted to join the ANC, but the people in the office did not pay any attention to what I was saying and literally ignored me. I went home in Morgenzon very heartbroken.”

Mr Hlolweni returned to Ermelo and decided to visit Cope’s office where he was warmly welcomed by Mr Lindelani Xhanti and he decided to join the party immediately.

Mr Hlolweni learned everything about politics from Cope and began to recruit people, beginning with his family.

He was elected in no time as a provincial youth convener during the party’s conference at Waterval Boven.

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He was appointed as the provincial organiser in 2012 and worked closely with the then secretary of Mpumalanga, Mr Sizile Ndlovu, and had a chance to meet many prominent politicians.

“I was not comfortable with the party and was beginning to be negative which led to me being fired in 2013. I decided to help the Economic Freedom Fighters to establish a branch in the area. The first region, Gert Sibande, was launched at my place in eMbalenhle. However at the end of the day I was accused of being a spy for Mr David Mabuza because I refused to take a leadership position. I then quit the EFF.”

He also tried the Democratic Alliance, but he was also apparently ignored. Mr Hlolweni kept praying and seeking guidance from the Lord and eventually laid the burden of establishing his own political party before Him.

He thought it was impossible to launch his own party due to a lack of resources.

“God intervened in 2016 and we managed to raise money to register Sapromo. Our application was accepted in mid-May 2016, just a few weeks before the closing date for submissions for candidates. Today I can feel in my spirit that we did the right thing to register Sapromo.”

Mr Hlolweni encouraged locals to have a strong relationship with God and to trust Him.