UMkhonto weSizwe (political party) explained

uMkhonto weSizwe
Abbreviation:MK
Leader:Jacob Zuma[1]
Leader1 Title:Secretary General
Leader1 Name:Sihle Ngubane[2]
Leader2 Title:Deputy Secretary General
Leader2 Name:Arthur Zwane
Leader3 Title:Treasurer General
Leader3 Name:Danisa Zulu
Leader4 Title:National Organiser
Leader4 Name:Nkosinathi Nhleko
Governing Body:Interim National Committee
Split:African National Congress
National:Progressive Caucus
Position:Left-wing[3] [4] [5]
Founded:[6] [7]
Seats1 Title:National Assembly
Seats2 Title:National Council of Provinces
Seats3:(South African seats)
Seats4 Title:Provincial Legislatures
Country:South Africa

zu|'''uMkhonto weSizwe'''|Spear of the Nation|italics=no, abbreviated as MK, and often referred to as the MK Party, is a nominally left-wing populist[8] [3] South African political party, founded in December 2023. The party is named after uMkhonto weSizwe (also shortened to MK), the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress (ANC) which was active during the apartheid regime in South Africa. However, the ANC has threatened legal action over the usage of the name,[9] and the formation has been criticised by original MK veterans.[10]

The party rose to prominence in December 2023, when former president Jacob Zuma announced that, while planning to remain a lifelong member of the ANC, he would not be campaigning for the ANC in the 2024 South African general election, and would instead be voting for MK.[11] He stated that "I cannot and will not" campaign for the ANC of current president Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma's successor, and that to do so would be a "betrayal".[12] [13]

On 21 May 2024, a week before the 2024 general election, the Constitutional Court ruled that party leader Jacob Zuma was ineligible to serve in Parliament as his fifteen-month prison sentence for contempt of court disqualified him.[14] [15] [16] Although his image would remain on ballot papers, alongside his party's logo, Zuma's name would be removed from MK's list of parliamentary candidates.[14]

Ideology

The party has been described as populist, Zulu nationalist,[17] [18] and "anti-foreigner".[8] Voice of America called it a "radical left-wing party",[3] [4] [5] while Al Jazeera described its policies as socialist.[19] It has supported some socially conservative[20] policies including the repeal of laws legalising same-sex marriage.[21] The party supports controversial, ostensibly reparative policies, such as expropriating white-owned land without compensation.[22] Writing in the Mail & Guardian, Imraan Buccus describes the party's ideology as "predatory and authoritarian nationalism with far right-wing social views".[23]

Support

Since the creation of the party, all opinion polling has shown it holds strong support in the province of KwaZulu-Natal,[24] [25] with black and coloured residents being the most favourable of the party.[26] In early 2024 published opinion polls projected that the MK Party would cut significantly into the ANC vote within the province,[27] [28] [29] [30] and attracted a polling percentage up to 35.6%.[24] The party also attracted significant percentages in the immediate north-western province of Mpumalanga.[24] Following the declaration of the election results of the National and Provincial Elections, MK Party secured 14.58% of the national votes. This translates to 58 seats in the National Assembly.

In January 2024, Black First Land First party leader Andile Mngxitama announced that he had joined the party, although he stated that BLF would not cease to exist, and that it was an electoral pact.[31]

Infighting

The party has experienced infighting, with a number of resignations and dismissals, including party founder Jabulani Khumalo and others on the 2024 election list.[32] [33]

In response to his dismissal, Khumalo claimed that he was still president, that Zuma was merely a consultant, and in turn suspended Zuma, asking the IEC to remove the Zuma's name from the candidate lists.[34] The IEC subsequently ruled in favour of Zuma and allowed him to remain on the party's lists, noting his status as the MK Party's registered leader.[35] On 15 August 2024 former EFF Deputy President and lieutenant commander-in-chief, its Parliamentary Chief Whip in the South African Parliament, who served in the Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee and the Standing Committee on Finance; Floyd Shivambu joined the party.[36]

Election results

In February 2024, the party contested its first election, finishing third with 19% of the vote in the ward 8 by-election in the Abaqulusi Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, behind the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on 47% and African National Congress (ANC) on 35%.[37]

Later that month, the party again finished third, winning 28% of the vote in an uPhongolo by-election, behind the IFP on 36% and the ANC on 33%.[38]

On 28 February 2024, the party contested a by-election in Govan Mbeki in Mpumalanga, its first outside KwaZulu-Natal, finishing second on 28% behind the ANC on 51%.[39]

On 14 June 2024, the party would suffer a setback in its native province of KwaZulu-Natal after the provincial legislature elected a rival IFP member, Thami Ntuli, as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.[40] Ntuli defeated the MK Party's premier candidate, Zulu Nation deputy prime minister Phathisizwe Chiliza, with 41 votes to 39.[41]

Provincial elections

! rowspan=2 | Election[42] ! colspan=2 | Eastern Cape! colspan=2 | Free State! colspan=2 | Gauteng! colspan=2 | Kwazulu-Natal! colspan=2 | Limpopo! colspan=2 | Mpumalanga! colspan=2 | North-West! colspan=2 | Northern Cape! colspan=2 | Western Cape|-! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats! % !! Seats|-! 2024| 1.44 || 1/73| 1.93 || 1/30| 9.79 || 8/80| 45.35 || 37/80| 0.85 || 1/64| 16.97 || 9/51| 2.06 || 1/38| 0.79 || 0/30| 0.57 || 0/42|}

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MK Party – MK Party Home . 2024-05-31 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Party Leaders – MK Party . 2024-05-31 . en-US.
  3. Web site: South Africa's Zuma Fails to Show Up at Rally for His New Party . 21 January 2024 . 3 April 2024.
  4. News: 16 December 2023 . Zuma deals new blow to ANC hopes in S. Africa election . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231216172528/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231216-zuma-deals-new-blow-to-anc-hopes-in-s-africa-election . 16 December 2023 . . Zuma said he would vote for the radical new left-wing Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party, named after the ANC's old armed wing, and urged all South Africans to reject the ANC..
  5. News: 21 January 2024 . South Africa's Zuma Fails to Show Up at Rally for His New Party . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403053120/https://www.voaafrica.com/a/south-africa-s-zuma-fails-to-show-up-at-rally/7449038.html . 3 April 2024 . . TEMBISA, South Africa – Supporters of South Africa's embattled former president Jacob Zuma's newly-formed radical left-wing party said Sunday they hope he might soon be the country's leader again, even though he failed to show up at their rally..
  6. News: Mahlati . Zintle . 19 September 2023 . Trademark war: ANC blindsided as MK registered as political party to contest 2024 poll . . .
  7. News: Mavuso . Sihle . 27 September 2023 . Political party called Umkhonto Wesizwe, among others, gazetted by IEC to contest 2024 national elections . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001190942/https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/political-party-called-umkhonto-wesizwe-among-others-gazetted-by-iec-to-contest-2024-national-elections-12313474-0dfd-4f70-9c5e-01792b011344 . 1 October 2023 .
  8. Web site: Pilling . David . South African election turns populist as parties play anti-foreigner card . Financial Times . 3 April 2024.
  9. Web site: Ramushwana . Alpha . Experts weigh in on the Legal tussle over the uMkhonto weSizwe name . 2023-12-22 . ewn.co.za . en.
  10. Web site: MK veterans slam former president Jacob Zuma for his conduct . 2023-12-23 . msn.com .
  11. Web site: The battle for the soul of uMkhonto weSizwe . 2023-12-22 . www.polity.org.za . en.
  12. Web site: Mutsila . Lerato . 2023-12-17 . Jacob Zuma ditches ANC in 2024 elections, vows 'total liberation . 2023-12-23 . Daily Maverick . en.
  13. Web site: Former South African president Zuma leaves ANC . 2023-12-23 . msn.com .
  14. News: Williams . Rafiek . Chothia . Farouk . 21 May 2024 . South Africa's top court bars Zuma from standing in election . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521063925/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22l7mlxdzo . 21 May 2024 .
  15. News: Chutel . Lynsey . 20 May 2024 . South Africa's Highest Court Says Jacob Zuma Can't Serve in Parliament . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520183340/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/world/africa/zuma-south-africa.html . 20 May 2024 .
  16. News: Hunter . Qaanitah . 21 May 2024 . Why Jacob Zuma being barred from S Africa election won’t derail his support . . .
  17. News: Ndou . Clive . 6 February 2024 . Fears MK party could stoke ethnic violence and a party seeking change anew better for black Africans . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207020834/https://mg.co.za/politics/2024-02-06-fears-mk-party-could-stoke-ethnic-violence/ . 7 February 2024 . .
  18. News: 28 February 2024 . Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe party threatens ANC dominance ahead of elections: Katzenellenbogen – Biznews . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229102710/https://irr.org.za/media/zuma2019s-umkhonto-we-sizwe-party-threatens-anc-dominance-ahead-of-elections-katzenellenbogen-biznews . 29 February 2024 . South African Institute of Race Relations.
  19. Web site: Hunter . Qaanitah . Why South Africa's opposition may struggle to unseat the ruling ANC . 7 May 2024 . Al Jazeera.
  20. Web site: Jacob Zuma campaigns on ticket using race, land, same-sex laws as flashpoints. TimesLIVE.
  21. Web site: Nonyukela . B. . Jacob Zuma makes homophobic remarks at MK rally . Business Live . 7 May 2024.
  22. News: Savage . Rachel . 2024-05-31 . South Africa: Zuma’s new party upends election as ANC reels from vote collapse . 2024-06-01 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  23. News: Buccus . Imraan . Reevaluating the EFF and MK: Authoritarian nationalism versus leftism . 20 June 2024 . The Mail & Guardian . 19 June 2024 . en-ZA.
  24. Web site: ANC majority under threat in Mpumalanga – eNCA survey . 17 March 2024 . politicsweb.co.za . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318190942/https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/anc-majority-under-threat-in-mpumalanga--enca-surv . 18 March 2024 .
  25. Web site: Survey of South African Voter Opinion . March 2024 . thebrenthurstfoundation.org . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311065916/https://www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org/downloads/tbf-survey-march-2024-v8.pdf . 11 March 2024 .
  26. Web site: Polling The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party In KwaZulu-Natal . February 2024 . srfreports.co.za . Social Research Foundation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408060553/https://srfreports.co.za/reports/polling-the-umkhonto-wesizwe-party-in-kwazulu-natal . 8 April 2024 .
  27. News: Mkentane . Luyolo . 13 February 2024 . Zuma's MK could slash ANC support in KwaZulu-Natal, poll shows . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216082059/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2024-02-13-jacob-zumas-mk-party-could-make-big-dent-in-ancs-kzn-support-says-poll/ . 16 February 2024 .
  28. News: Buccus . Imraan . 10 March 2024 . Watershed moment awaits KwaZulu-Natal where the election battle is new MK vs old ANC . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310180848/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2024-03-10-kwazulu-natal-election-battle-is-new-mk-vs-old-anc/ . 10 March 2024 .
  29. News: Boonzaaier . Dawie . 10 March 2024 . subscription . MK Party could rule KZN as it enjoys mounting support in the province, threatening ANC . News24 . Media24 .
  30. News: Makhaye . Chris . 5 April 2024 . Can Jacob Zuma and his MK party unseat the ANC in South Africa's election? . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406184150/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/4/5/will-jacob-zuma-and-his-mk-party-cause-an-upset-in-south-africas-election . 6 April 2024 .
  31. Web site: Maliti . Soyiso . Has Schabir Shaik joined Zuma's MK Party? One spokesperson says yes, another says no . 2024-01-17 . News24 . en-US.
  32. Web site: Maliti . Soyiso . 'Same faces who caused problems in the ANC': 'Corrupt' people in strategic MKP posts, says ex-leader . 2024-04-27 . News24 . en-US.
  33. Web site: Capa . Siyamtanda . MK Party expels 'rogue elements', including party founder Jabulani Khumalo . 2024-04-27 . News24 . en-US.
  34. Web site: Maliti . Soyiso . 'Face' vs founder: MK Party implodes as expelled Khumalo suspends 'consultant' Zuma . 2024-05-07 . News24 . en-US.
  35. Web site: Jeanette . Chabalala . Zuma remains face of MK Party for elections – IEC . Sowetan Live . 7 May 2024.
  36. Web site: Masuabi . Queenin . 2024-08-15 . Shivambu quits EFF for MK, Malema likens ‘pain’ to mother’s death . 2024-08-15 . Daily Maverick . en.
  37. Web site: Sussman . Wayne . 2024-02-08 . IFP retains Vryheid, KZN ward amid ANC gains, strong MK debut . 2024-02-08 . Daily Maverick . en.
  38. Web site: Sussman . Wayne . 2024-02-15 . MK party snatches votes from ANC in second Zululand scare . 2024-02-29 . Daily Maverick . en.
  39. Web site: Sussman . Wayne . 2024-02-29 . MK takes votes from ANC, EFF in encouraging Mpumalanga debut . 2024-02-29 . Daily Maverick . en.
  40. News: Nqobile . Dludla . South Africa's KZN province elects IFP member as premier in setback for Zuma . 2024-06-14 . Reuters . 2024-06-14 . en.
  41. News: COALITION NATION: New KZN premier Ntuli to appoint cabinet in four days, promises to fight poverty . News24 . 14 June 2024 . 14 June 2024.
  42. Web site: Results Dashboard. www.elections.org.za . 11 May 2019.

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