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South Africa

Duduzile Zuma says MK open to working with ANC — sans Ramaphosa

The MK party says it would consider forming a coalition with the ANC on condition that the governing party axes Cyril Ramaphosa. Jacob Zuma’s party has started plotting its way forward by engaging with ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe on the sidelines at the National Results Operation Centre. 
Duduzile Zuma says MK open to working with ANC — sans Ramaphosa
Queenin Masuabi and Velani Ludidi
By Queenin Masuabi and Velani Ludidi
31 May 2024
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The ANC is looking for coalition partners after it dropped under 50% nationally for the first time and at 9pm on Friday evening was sitting on 41.12% with 86.7% of results from voting stations confirmed.

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party has been the story of the elections and had won 13.5% nationally and 45.48% in KwaZulu-Natal by Friday evening, putting it in a strong position to influence coalition negotiations.

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A possible coalition between the MK party and the ANC, however, would deepen the rivalry between former president Zuma and the country’s head of state, Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The MK party has expressed that it would be willing to work with the ANC. MK national executive committee member and daughter to the former president, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, told Daily Maverick that the marriage would however only succeed if the ANC removed Ramaphosa.

“Definitely not the ANC of Ramaphosa,” she said.

Zuma’s six-month-old party has not only ravaged the support of the ANC, the oldest liberation movement in Africa, it has also taken away support from more established parties such as the EFF and IFP. The MK party has also been able to attract ANC supporters in KZN and Gauteng.

It has become almost certain that the ANC will not win more than 42% nationally. 

Read more in Daily Maverick: It’s now time for South Africa to take Zuma’s MK party seriously

Zuma-Sambudla, a close confidant of her father, said the MK party would only work with like-minded organisations. 

“We have the People’s Mandate [the party’s manifesto] and as long as you are aligned and close enough with what we want to do, then you are someone we can talk to in terms of the land, free education and nationalism.”

MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirmed that the party had already started informal talks with the ANC’s national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe.

“They [ANC] have heard enough,” Ndhlela told Daily Maverick. “Gwede Mantashe knows [our position]. We will engage with the ANC, but we will not engage with the ANC of Ramaphosa.”

Zuma-Sambudla was reported to have said MK was only willing to work with “progressive black parties” and not the ANC under Ramaphosa.

https://youtu.be/583SYtIZIbw?si=Kx1V-niT-p2eFFGX

Mdumiseni Ntuli, the ANC’s head of elections, said the top brass of the governing party is yet to meet to discuss their next move.

“We are not yet briefed if there is such a discussion. I think when the NEC convenes a meeting, the national officials will appraise us in case there are developments relating to that. We have not started discussions with anyone formally. It may very well be that in one-on-one some of our leaders are using proximity as an advantage; they talk to certain people,” he said. 

Asked if Ramaphosa would resign or quit following the party’s poor showing, ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane said it wasn’t on the cards. She said the ANC needed all hands on deck as it considered its next steps after a difficult election result.

Follow our live elections blog here

The fallout


In December 2023, Zuma announced that he would campaign for the MK party while remaining a member of the ANC. His move came two years after he was arrested for contempt of court after failing to appear before the Zondo Commission.

Zuma was forced to resign as the country’s president in 2018 after Ramaphosa won the ANC presidency the previous year. He became increasingly critical of Ramaphosa as his legal challenges mounted.

While announcing his support for the MK party, Zuma took a swipe at Ramaphosa, calling him an agent of “white monopoly capital”.

This is when the term “the ANC of Ramaphosa” was first used by the former president.

In January, the ANC suspended Zuma for “actively impugning the integrity of the ANC” by campaigning to dislodge the organisation from power.

At the time, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the NEC had invoked rule 25.60 of the party’s constitution to suspend Zuma. He said the rule did not allow Zuma the opportunity to respond to the decision as it was final.

Zuma has a pending disciplinary hearing with the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee.

The ANC went to court to challenge the registration of the MK party. The party also challenged MK’s use of the name of its disbanded military wing but was unsuccessful in both cases. DM

Comments

Malusi Ndungane Jun 1, 2024, 12:56 AM

After the ANC it's the ANC all over again. Or as the French say, plus ca change mais plus ca le meme chose.

jsiebrits Jun 1, 2024, 02:13 AM

Surely the ANC can't think about working with a party that wants to scrap the constitution and go back to parliamentary supremacy? And talks about secession.

Kenneth FAKUDE Jun 1, 2024, 06:57 PM

Ever considered that MK is a branch of the ANC veterans, this is the faction that created its own camp in the ANC, MK is not an innovated party name, it says a lot about 2 pieces of one puzzle and it will not shock when the pieces fit to make the puzzle complete, just thinking out loud.

Patterson Alan John Jun 2, 2024, 05:11 AM

Absolutely right! Zuma has been receiving inside information from the RET faction and other comrades in his 'Trojan horse' buried in the ANC. The quiet word went out - 'Wear your ANC regalia, vote MK.' What about RET MPs crossing the floor to MK? Anything is possible and many surprises are awaiting us in the days ahead.

Philemon Solomon Jun 1, 2024, 02:31 AM

This would be the end of SA.

Charlie Victor Jun 1, 2024, 03:15 AM

2 scenarios: 1) The ANC with CR17 forms a coalition with the DA. CR17 (the spineless git) purges pro Zuma faction and anyone else's implicated by Zondo and other corruption probes. The anc/DA also pull in other parties into a multi charter GNU to fix SA. 2) The anc boots CR17, forms a coalition with mk & eff. With a few more of the smaller parties they get 66%+ and rewrite the constitution. Scenario 2 wrecks SA. So, which will it be? Who in the anc ISN'T tainted by corruption... crickets... The cadres are ONLY interested in keeping their snouts in the trough. They realise time is up, so this will be their last go at the trough. NHI will take too long, GEPF is ripe for looting. But touch the GEPF and they will get a hiding in the next elections... Unless... They rewrite the constitution. Sadly, for a bunch of criminals with only their own interests at heart, scenario 2 looks like the option they'll take.

Steve Davidson Jun 1, 2024, 07:14 AM

ANC/DA: "Rise the Beloved Country" ANC/MK: "Die the Beloved Country"

Anesh Govender Jun 1, 2024, 10:48 AM

Well said…

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:16 AM

We are at the cusp of perhaps the biggest watershed moment in South Africa's turbulent history. The decision making of the ANC in the next few days will define its legacy in the pages of history. Will it ultimately be remembered as the party who peacefully transitioned a country to Democracy and then after 3 decades of rule, was able to self correct in the interest of the very people it set free OR Will it be remembered as the party who peacefully transitioned a country to Democracy and after 3 decades of rule, was not able to self correct at the expense of the very people it set free. Only a few words difference in those two sentences but polar opposite realities on the other end of the decision. Not holding my breath because the ANC decision making and effectiveness in dealing with the very corruption that is causing their waning support, has been lacking for the past 3 decades.

Willem Boshoff Jun 1, 2024, 06:24 AM

The snake the ANC protected has risen to bite them in the neck. The MK's manifesto is a sobering read - skipping Zimbabwe and gunning straight for North Korea. The DA holding on to the Western Cape is the only good news from this election. The ANC-MK-EFF domination indicates a wild swing leftwards, coupled with fascism, toxic nationalism, resenting the West, and headed by corrupt leaders things are not looking great. Our best hope is that the ANC and the DA cut a deal and let the law enforcement agencies loose on the Zuma crime-family.

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:22 AM

Ironic isn't it. They had the chance to stop this mess when they systematically protecting him from prosecution for the Arms deal corruption, had they put him in the cell next to Schabir Sheikh, this would not be unfolding. The ANC and the citizens of the country will pay the price because it is too late to undo the mess. It further proves that they don't care about having members who have zero moral fibre and they don't care about corruption. ANC/MK/EFF, if that happens lets see how well that bodes for the economy and ultimately what that does to the number of people who end up then trying to move to the Western Cape.

pastornat Jun 1, 2024, 07:13 AM

For the survival of the skin of the ANC, I see only one possible option. Axe Rama, and have Duduzane as Deputy President. ANC will still be in power, and purge the old Ministers of Rama. It's dead wood anyway....and most have past their expiry date. Bring in new blood n vibrancy into the movement. Working with the DA will be suicidal for the ANC. There's no common agenda n vision there. It's Palestine vs Israel or Russia vs US. So that marriage will be a disaster. The best option now for the survival of the ANC, is to work with Zuma. They got themselves into this mess....!!!

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:35 AM

Wow, so the DA are a suicidal choice? All I will say is... Let the ANC then choose M.K and EFF (both parties led by corrupt individuals) and lets see how many people from those provinces run by the ANC/MK/EFF then end up moving to Western Cape and how long it takes.

TEC Custom Jun 1, 2024, 07:34 AM

Horror of horrors should the red hatted mongs and the not really soldiers have anything to do with running this country.....If this happens expect a tumultuous netx year or two ....Time will tell ...

Johan Buys Jun 1, 2024, 07:48 AM

MK did incredibly well, but it won’t go anywhere from where it is at. Have a look outside KZN and Mpumalanga (major Zulu areas). Even the Freedom Front Plus beat MK in most other places! Essentially MK is the Zupta faction of ANC. I bet right now the ANC deeply regrets the power they provided for 30y to traditional leaders. Young South Africans reject primitive concepts such as unelected tribal royalty. Not even the ANC is stupid enough to work with MK when it ism obvious MK will never be a major party outside KZN.

William Kelly Jun 1, 2024, 07:55 AM

Of course she will. She wants power. Intersting to see her emerge as the replacement for daddy. It was obvious but now, here we are. Stark choices with onerous consequences. We are at a cross roads.

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:37 AM

How many more of his spawn are going to start coming out of the woodwork for a chance to follow daddy's example?

rondonsa64 Jun 1, 2024, 08:02 AM

Any body except ANC. Party leaders must leave their egos outside when negotiating an alternative to the ANC and a way forward for South Africa. The first and major hurdle has been jumped and that was to get the ANC below 50% ( Nationally). It's now a question of finding common ground,in the bigger interests of the people of South Africa.

Paul T Jun 1, 2024, 10:57 AM

That was yesterday. Today we have MK. In descending order, risk of destroying the country has MK at #1, EFF #2 as kingmakers and ANC #3. The only plausible tie up across the provinces is ANC plus DA + some of the MPC parties where needed, e.g. KZN.

aidan.wampach Jun 1, 2024, 08:49 AM

Just when I thought that SA would finally grow up democratically, along comes zuma and his tribe of thieving miscreants. If there is a hell, their place is booked and I will give the rest of my pension to be a spectator. What a sad, dysfunctional, smelly family, born in camp quatro (sic).

hlavatican Jun 1, 2024, 09:04 AM

I certainly that DA is open to working with ANC + IFPas for KZN. Although it may be tempting to lead a coalition of of DA, MK, EFF, and wrestle power from ANC completely, that may have disastrous consequences. I believe that what Zille referred to as jumping off the cliff.

Tima Huntzrod Jun 1, 2024, 02:38 PM

That’s fine - as long as neither Jacob Zuma nor any of his family members/associates are part of the governing MK party. Zuma got us here… if he is allowed to control this province, much less this country, we are doomed.

razak20 Jun 1, 2024, 03:54 PM

Where is Secretary General Mbalula in all these developments ? !

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:37 AM

Busy updating his CV - ROTFL

hlavatican Jun 1, 2024, 05:14 PM

We all wanted ANC to fall below 50% now it went further down than any of our predictions especially in KZN... now most people want it back in government again. I thought since other parties have close to 60% it's time for government without ANC, nationally, KZN, and Gauteng for the first time in 30 years

Freda Brodie Jun 1, 2024, 11:06 PM

No surprise here that Gwede Mantashe will be singing for his supper again. He was such a strong Zuma supporter before Cyril came along. Now he is singing for his supper again. What a disaster. I am saying it again, too many small political parties chipping away at having very strong opposition parties. Has doomsday arrived?

Kevin Venter Jun 2, 2024, 04:39 AM

The decisions of parties working with parties in the next day will answer the question of doomsday. The ANC is now stuck between a rock and hard place of their own making. You literally cannot make this stuff up if you tried.