uMkhonto we Sizwe (political party)

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For the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress during apartheid, see uMkhonto we Sizwe. For the African National Congress auxiliary organisation founded in 1996 and disbanded in 2022, see uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans' Association. For the 1984 album by Prince Far I, see Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation).
uMkhonto weSizwe
Spear of the Nation
AbbreviationMK
LeaderJacob Zuma[1]
Governing bodyInterim National Committee[2]
Secretary GeneralSihle Ngubane[2]
Deputy Secretary GeneralArthur Zwane[2]
Treasurer GeneralDanisa Zulu[2]
National OrganiserNkosinathi Nhleko[2]
FoundedDecember 2023; 4 months ago (December 2023)[3]
Registered7 September 2023; 7 months ago (7 September 2023)[4][5]
Split fromAfrican National Congress
Ideology
Political positionLeft-wing[9][10]
National Assembly
0 / 400
National Council of Provinces
0 / 90
Pan-African Parliament
0 / 5
(South African seats)
Provincial Legislatures
0 / 430
Website
mkparty.org.za

uMkhonto weSizwe (English: Spear of the Nation), abbreviated as MK, and often referred to as the MK Party, is a left-wing populist[3][8] South African political party, founded in December 2023. The party is named after uMkhonto we Sizwe (also shortened to MK), the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress (ANC) during apartheid. However, the ANC has threatened legal action over the usage of the name,[11] and the formation has been criticised by original MK veterans.[12]

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.[13] 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'.[14][15]

Ideology

The Financial Times described the party as populist and "anti-foreigner",[16] while Voice of America called it a "radical left-wing party".[17] However, the party has also been described as being centred entirely around former President Jacob Zuma, without a distinct ideology or character.[18]

Since the creation of the party, all opinion polling has shown it holds strong support in the province of KwaZulu-Natal,[19][20] with black and coloured residents being the most favourable of the party.[21] In early 2024 published opinion polls projected that the MK Party would cut significantly into the ANC vote within the province,[22][23][24][25] and attracted a polling percentage up to 35.6%.[19] The party also attracted significant percentages in the immediate north-western province of Mpumalanga.[19]

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.[26][27]

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%.[28]

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%.[29]

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%.[30]

References

  1. ^ https://mkparty.org.za/ MK Party Leader President Jacob Zuma
  2. ^ a b c d e https://mkparty.org.za/about-mk/leadership/party-leaders/ Party Leaders
  3. ^ a b c d Pilling, David. "South African election turns populist as parties play anti-foreigner card". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  4. ^ Mahlati, Zintle (19 September 2023). "Trademark war: ANC blindsided as MK registered as political party to contest 2024 poll". News24. Media24.
  5. ^ Mavuso, Sihle (27 September 2023). "Political party called Umkhonto Wesizwe, among others, gazetted by IEC to contest 2024 national elections". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023.
  6. ^ Ndou, Clive (6 February 2024). "Fears MK party could stoke ethnic violence". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe party threatens ANC dominance ahead of elections: Katzenellenbogen – Biznews". South African Institute of Race Relations. 28 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b "South Africa's Zuma Fails to Show Up at Rally for His New Party". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Zuma deals new blow to ANC hopes in S. Africa election". France24. 16 December 2023. Archived from the original on 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.
  10. ^ "South Africa's Zuma Fails to Show Up at Rally for His New Party". Voice of Africa. 21 January 2024. Archived from the original on 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.
  11. ^ Ramushwana, Alpha. "Experts weigh in on the Legal tussle over the uMkhonto weSizwe name". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  12. ^ "MK veterans slam former president Jacob Zuma for his conduct". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  13. ^ "The battle for the soul of uMkhonto weSizwe". www.polity.org.za. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  14. ^ Mutsila, Lerato (2023-12-17). "Jacob Zuma ditches ANC in 2024 elections, vows 'total liberation". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  15. ^ "Former South African president Zuma leaves ANC". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  16. ^ Pilling, David. "South African election turns populist as parties play anti-foreigner card". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  17. ^ "South Africa's Zuma Fails to Show Up at Rally for His New Party". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  18. ^ Grootes, Stephen (18 March 2024). "MK party in Parliament? It's all about Zuma — nothing more, nothing less". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "ANC majority under threat in Mpumalanga – eNCA survey". politicsweb.co.za. 17 March 2024. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Survey of South African Voter Opinion" (PDF). thebrenthurstfoundation.org. Brenthurst Foundation. March 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Polling The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party In KwaZulu-Natal". srfreports.co.za. Social Research Foundation. February 2024. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024.
  22. ^ Mkentane, Luyolo (13 February 2024). "Zuma's MK could slash ANC support in KwaZulu-Natal, poll shows". Business Day. Arena Holdings. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024.
  23. ^ Buccus, Imraan (10 March 2024). "Watershed moment awaits KwaZulu-Natal where the election battle is new MK vs old ANC". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024.
  24. ^ Boonzaaier, Dawie (10 March 2024). "MK Party could rule KZN as it enjoys mounting support in the province, threatening ANC". News24. Media24.
  25. ^ Makhaye, Chris (5 April 2024). "Can Jacob Zuma and his MK party unseat the ANC in South Africa's election?". Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera Media Network. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024.
  26. ^ Maliti, Soyiso. "'Same faces who caused problems in the ANC': 'Corrupt' people in strategic MKP posts, says ex-leader". News24. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  27. ^ Capa, Siyamtanda. "MK Party expels 'rogue elements', including party founder Jabulani Khumalo". News24. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  28. ^ Sussman, Wayne (2024-02-08). "IFP retains Vryheid, KZN ward amid ANC gains, strong MK debut". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  29. ^ Sussman, Wayne (2024-02-15). "MK party snatches votes from ANC in second Zululand scare". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  30. ^ Sussman, Wayne (2024-02-29). "MK takes votes from ANC, EFF in encouraging Mpumalanga debut". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-02-29.

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