KZN ANC's Mndebele says it's time for a coalition government in the province
Historically, KZN has been a major ANC stronghold but former president Jacob Zuma’s new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has taken the lead on the provincial ballot this time around, securing around 45% of the votes.
ANC supporters outside Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban for the ANC manifesto launch. Picture credit: EWN Reporter Twitter
DURBAN - The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has broken its relative silence, after taking a battering in the province in these elections.
Historically, KZN has been a major ANC stronghold but former president Jacob Zuma’s new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has taken the lead on the provincial ballot this time around, securing around 45% of the votes.
Up until Saturday morning, the ANC’s provincial leadership had been largely mum on the upset.
READ: Elections 2024: KZN residents mixed about MK Party's performance
However, Eyewitness News spoke to Mafika Mndebele, the spokesperson in KZN.
Earlier in the week, Mndebele was quoted as saying it was too early to comment.
But with the results all but finalised on Saturday, he told Eyewitness News that first and foremost they wanted to thank the South African people.
"We believe they’ve come out in large numbers to vote for the different organisations of their choices. Over six million people voted for the ANC - that, we are not taking it for granted. We are in fact grateful for that."
When it comes to the situation in KZN, Mndebele said simply that it was now time for a coalition government.
"We’ve also seen in KZN there has not been any clear winner which tells us the message from our people is that there must be a coalition government. It’s something the ANC will look into."
He said in this regard, the province would be guided by the National Executive Committee, which may meet on Sunday.