Elections in KwaZulu-Natal: MK should not be taken lightly

The Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) is taking votes off the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu Natal (KZN); it could take as much as half of the ANC’s support in the province in the general public elections.

This is based on a survey by the Social Research Foundation, which interviewed 820 people in KZN between 31 January and 7 February; KZN has the second highest number of registered voters in South Africa behind Gauteng and is a traditional ANC stronghold for voters.

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MK STREETS AHEAD OF OTHER NEW PARTIES

According to political analyst Wayne Sussman, of the new parties on the ballot today, MK is streets ahead of parties like the People’s Movement for Change (PMC), South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA), and Rise Mzansi.

“The smaller of the 2 voting districts has come in for uPhongolo. The much bigger voting district is still out. Dwaleni High School IFP 35% (44%) MK 33% ANC 32% (47%) EFF <1% (1%) NFP (5%) not on ballot. MK taking votes from ANC, IFP, NFP,” he tweeted on X.

The smaller of the 2 voting districts has come in for uPhongolo. The much bigger voting district is still out.
Dwaleni High School IFP 35% (44%) MK 33% ANC 32% (47%) EFF <1% (1%) NFP (5%) not on ballot. MK taking votes from ANC, IFP, NFP.

— Wayne Sussman (@waynesussman) February 15, 2024

THEY WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF MK FOR YEARS TO COME

Political analyst RudzaniFloyd Musekwa told Business Day that the MK party would have a “bad impact on the fortunes” of the ANC, and the governing party would feel the wrath of MK for years to come.

“They will rue the day they allowed Zuma to ascend to the biggest post in the land on its political ticket,” Musekwa said.

“It is very clear that the ANC is going to, unfortunately, lose whatever little grip they had in KZN since the MK party seems to be doing well there, especially from voters who are following a disgruntled Jacob Zuma from the ANC to this new movement,” he added.

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NEXT BY-ELECTION 28 FEBRUARY MPUMALANGA

In the previous by-election in uPhongolo in Zululand, the MK party made an impact on the established parties, and it has now shown that it can not only take votes away from the IFP and EFF but the ANC as well. 

The next by-election will be on 28 February when the ANC defends a seat in Govan Mbeki, Mpumalanga. MK will make its Mpumalanga debut here.

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