Jacob Zuma addressing members of the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK party) at Vosloorus Stadium in Ekurhuleni on Saturday, 30 November. Photo by Happy Mnguni
THE dramatic rise of the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK party) took Mzansi by surprise.
When its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, formally launched the party in Soweto on 16 December 2023, there wasn’t much fanfare.
It seemed like just another party had been launched. Many dismissed it as the “Zuma stokvel” or “Zulu party”, something that would come to pass. However, Zuma’s charm swept many off their feet.
Sooner than expected, it began swelling beyond KZN and Gauteng, the first provinces to embrace the party.
The name MK was undoubtedly on everyone’s lips in 2024. Not long after, Zuma had another surprise as he announced that the party decided to enter the race in the general elections on 29 May, barely six months after its formation. Again, not many gave it a chance.
But the man from Nkandla, KZN, was adamant that the party would do well in the elections, and he was even convinced it would achieve a two-thirds majority.
Jacob Zuma addressing members of the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK party) at Vosloorus Stadium in Ekurhuleni on Saturday, 30 November. Photo by Happy Mnguni
It did not come close to winning but became the third-largest party in the country, with 14% of votes – a significant feat for a party only a few months old.
Zuma, who had an axe to grind with the ANC after it dismissed him, deliberately launched the MK party on 16 December, the same date its namesake and the ANC’s political wing, was disbanded.
He didn’t stop there; he also used the spear and shield as its logo. This was a masterstroke as it set tongues wagging. It also forced the biggest party in the country, the ANC, to talk about the new kid on the block trying to prevent it from using the name and logo.
Members of uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) came in numbers at the party’s first rally leading up to the big celebration of one-year anniversary. Photo by Happy Mnguni
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The MK party would have none of it. The ANC went to court seeking an interdict to stop the usage of the name and logo.
Inadvertently, the ANC played into Zuma’s hand. Zuma turned those court appearances into his party’s mini rallies to campaign for the elections. He used the court case to portray himself as a victim, a card he plays very well.
At that time, the party had neither policies nor constitution. It was essentially a structureless party but could attract hundreds of people who came to listen to Zuma.
It was all based on love and sympathy for the man who was now being “persecuted” by the ANC on top of the justice system that was against him, using “Zuma law” to send him to jail for defying the Constitutional Court order to attend the Zondo Commission and answer questions.
Members of uMkhonto Wesizwe party came in numbers at the party’s first rally leading up to the big celebration of one-year anniversary. Photo by Happy Mnguni
Members of uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) came in numbers at the party’s first rally leading up to the big celebration of one-year anniversary. Photo by Happy Mnguni
Now the question arises: what happens after Zuma? If it is true that people joined and supported the MK because of him, what will make them stay when he is no longer there? This is not because there are no good leaders in the party.
It has recently attracted brilliant minds such as former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, Dr John Hlophe, Advocate Dali Mpofu, and Brian Molefe, among others.
But do they possess the same charisma as Zuma? Will the “wenzeni uZuma” brigade be prepared to say “yenzeni iMK” should things go south?
One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to conclude that without Zuma, MK will be dented. It may not spell the end of the party, but it will have a devastating impact.
That’s the problem with the cult of personality because everything is centred on the leader and not the party. When that leader is no longer there, everything disintegrates.
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