Traditional Leaders, Church Leaders, and Disgruntled ANC Members Rally Behind Former President Zuma’s Bid
In a surprising turn, former South African President Jacob Zuma has been called out of retirement to help establish the MK Party, a new political entity aimed at rivalling the African National Congress (ANC). The move comes amidst growing disillusionment with the ANC, with traditional leaders, church leaders, and disgruntled ANC members joining forces to find an alternative to the ruling party.
According to Nhlamulo Ndhlela, spokesperson for the MK Party, the idea to enlist Zuma’s help originated from concerned members of civil society who believed that the ANC had been “captured” and that the black population was no longer thriving under its leadership. Feeling that the country was regressing to an apartheid-like era, they approached Zuma to come out of retirement and lead the charge for change.
MK Party’s Secret Weapon: Zuma
Zuma officially introduced the MK Party in December, launching scathing criticism of his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and his handling of ANC affairs. Since the party’s inception, Zuma has been actively campaigning in various provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.
However, Ndhlela clarified that Zuma’s role within the party is more symbolic, serving as a figurehead, chief campaigner, and source of inspiration. The interim structure of the MK Party is led by interim commander Jabulani Khumalo, who registered the party with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Other key figures within the party’s interim structure include acting secretary-general Thanduxolo Gorbachev Dyodo and acting treasurer Lebogang Moepeng.
The diverse composition of the party’s structure also includes Shelly Brown, a member of the MK Military Veterans’ Association who publicly criticized the disbanding of the association by the ANC, and #FeesMustFall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile, who heads the MK Party’s youth affairs division.
Ndhlela emphasized that the party’s funding primarily comes from its members, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral regulations. While they are open to potential donations, the party has not received financial support from external sources.
Unsurprisingly, the ANC has distanced itself from Zuma and the MK Party. In a statement, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula labelled Zuma as a counter-revolutionary and accused the MK Party of recruiting individuals with “extremist instincts” who could incite social unrest.
Despite the ANC’s dismissive stance, the MK Party continues to gain traction, engaging with communities, leaders, and stakeholders to determine their desired presidential candidate. Ndhlela confirmed that if the people showed overwhelming support for Zuma, he would assume the party’s presidency.
As the South African political landscape undergoes a seismic shift, all eyes are on Zuma and the MK Party, waiting to see if they can truly pose a formidable challenge to the ANC’s longstanding
