Tracking the rise of Zuma's MK Party
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director for Rivonia Circle, joins John Maytham to consider polls showing the MK Party making inroads in KZN.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho weSizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
According to a national survey, Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe Party is making significant gains in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
So much so that, according to the poll, conducted on behalf of The Brenthurst Foundation, the MKP is now the third largest party (13%) in the polls behind the ANC (39%) and the DA (27%).
Mnguni says he's not surprised.
"Parties that break away from the ANC, in terms of outlook, tend to do better."
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director - Rivonia Circle
"It's not unfounded to think that the MK Party - for the first time, a former President of the ANC campaigning for a political party outside the ANC - would probably be thought of as possibly garnering more support than COPE did."
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director - Rivonia Circle
Mnguni says one must not underestimate the weight of the former President of the ANC campaigning against the party.
"{He is} giving disaffected ANC members a language to express themselves."
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director - Rivonia Circle
"Effectively, what Zuma has done is to whip up a propoganda narrative that tries to isolate ANC members from this ANC of Ramaphosa, but still retains them from the core ANC base to which they belong."
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director - Rivonia Circle
From a provincial perspective, Zuma’s MK Party is leading 25% of the vote compared to the ANC's 20% according to the survey.
"MK is making significant in-roads in KZN."
Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director - Rivonia Circle