JOHANNESBURG, May 31 – Former President Jacob Zuma’s newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has emerged as a significant disruptor in this week’s South African election. The MK party’s performance has contributed to a sharp decline in support for the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Although MK is not expected to win the election or become a coalition partner, its impact is undeniable. Zuma, who cannot run for parliament due to a conviction for contempt of court, leads a party that advocates for nationalizing land and banks and scrapping the constitution. Despite these radical positions, MK is poised to unseat the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, by a landslide.
With 64% of polling stations reporting, MK was in third place nationwide with 11.8% of votes. The ANC’s share had fallen to 41.9%, a significant drop from 57.5% in the 2019 election, potentially losing its majority for the first time in 30 years. In KwaZulu-Natal, a key region due to its major ports of Durban and Richards Bay, MK was leading with about 44%, while the ANC trailed with just under 19%. Durban handles 60% of South Africa’s trade, and Richards Bay is Africa’s largest coal export facility.
Analysts attribute MK’s success largely to Zuma’s enduring popularity, stemming from his humble beginnings and anti-establishment stance. Zuma, an anti-apartheid veteran and Zulu traditionalist known for wearing leopard skins at public events, was forced to resign from the presidency in 2018 amid numerous corruption scandals. His presidency was marred by “state capture,” a term South Africans use to describe systemic corruption that allowed businesspeople to exploit state resources. Zuma denies these allegations.
Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma’s successor, pledged to clean up the ANC but has faced criticism for his cautious and consensus-driven leadership. His administration has also struggled with ongoing power shortages and dysfunctional ports, issues partly rooted in the corruption legacy of Zuma’s tenure.
