Loyiso Gola under fire for criticising Jacob Zuma party

Comedian Loyiso Gola has been dragged on social media for his criticism of Jacob Zuma’s new political party, Umkhonto weSizwe, or MK Party.

Over the weekend, the former president of South Africa announced his new venture despite being a member of the ruling party, the ANC.

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JACOB ZUMA’S POLITICAL PARTY GAINS POPULARITY

Over the weekend, Jacob Zuma surprised South Africans with news of his new MK Party.

The party was registered with the Electoral Commission earlier this year and will contest the 2024 national election.

While he isn’t an official candidate, Zuma – who is facing a string of corruption charges – will cast his ballot for the new party. 

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In a statement, he said of leaving the ANC: “Among the reasons why I have taken this decision is because I realised this is not a country I fought for. I need to see a South Africa that our ancestors envisaged.”

Following the announcement, the Umkhonto weSizwe website crashed following a high volume of traffic for membership registration.

UPDATE: The website of MK Party (Umkhonto Wesizwe) has been fixed after it crashed late on Sunday due to a large number of users logging in to register. The party said it's now business as usual, members can easily register online.

— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) December 18, 2023

LOYISO GOLA DRAGGED OVER TWEETS

Following Jacob Zuma’s political announcement, comedian Loyiso Gola joined many tweeps in sharing his views. 

Gola tweeted on Monday, 18 December: “Jacob Zuma’s tenure as ANC president was disastrous.  Multiple breakaways, weaker Youth League, weaker COSATU, weaker Women’s League….  now he wants to tell us he won’t vote ANC.  You made the bed. Sleep on it.

But like his criticism of the former president, the comedian’s “unpopular opinion” was met with much condemnation.

Many tweeps compared Gola to Trevor Noah, who has previously made light of Jacob Zuma and not current president Cyril Ramaphosa.

@DoctorShange: “Stick to your nonsensical jokes and leave politics.”

@Kza__Soze: “Your argument lacks factual support and appears to be driven by a desire for relevance. There is no use of insults or personal attacks in your statement.”

@dspha07: “Also, say something on the current administration, I would like to hear your views.”

@Thandoh_Nkomond: “Are you also trying to get the Grammy gig like Trevor Noah?”

Jacob Zuma's tenure as ANC president was disastrous. Multiple breakaway, weaker Youth League, weaker COSATU, weaker Women's League…. now he wants to tell us he won't vote ANC.
You made the bed… sleep on it.

— Loyiso Gola (@loyisogola) December 18, 2023