Umkhonto we Sizwe (political party)

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
Split fromAfrican National Congress
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 (MK), English: Spear of the Nation) is a 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,[1] and the formation has been criticised by original MK veterans.[2]

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.[3] 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'.[4][5]

As of January 2024, the party has no public constitution, structures, or policies, nor any elected leadership.[6]

Election results

In February 2024, the party contested its first election, finishing third in the ward 8 by-election in the Abaqulusi Local Municipality, behind the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on 47% and African National Congress (ANC) on 35%.[7]

References

  1. ^ Ramushwana, Alpha. "Experts weigh in on the Legal tussle over the uMkhonto weSizwe name". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  2. ^ "MK veterans slam former president Jacob Zuma for his conduct". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  3. ^ "The battle for the soul of uMkhonto weSizwe". www.polity.org.za. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  4. ^ Mutsila, Lerato (2023-12-17). "Jacob Zuma ditches ANC in 2024 elections, vows 'total liberation". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  5. ^ "Former South African president Zuma leaves ANC". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  6. ^ "JUSTICE MALALA: Savimbi, Dhlakama ... and Zuma". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  7. ^ Sussman, Wayne (2024-02-08). "IFP retains Vryheid, KZN ward amid ANC gains, strong MK debut". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-02-08.

External links