Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, recently used the first anniversary rally of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party to rally his supporters and position the party as a champion of black unity. Zuma called on his supporters to return him to office so he could complete the “unfinished business” interrupted by his recall by the African National Congress (ANC).
The anniversary rally, held at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, was met with delays and failed to fill the stadium to capacity. Despite this, Zuma delivered a spirited speech, urging his supporters to prepare for the upcoming elections and work towards reclaiming power.
Zuma emphasized the need for black unity in politics, calling for black parties to come together and fix the issues of the past. He criticized the EFF for declining the invitation to the anniversary rally and urged black parties to stop fighting and insulting each other.
The former president also addressed the election results from May, where the MK party received 17% of the national vote and 45% in KwaZulu-Natal. He called for changes to the electoral system and urged his supporters to challenge the status quo and ensure that votes are counted publicly and locally.
Zuma reminded his followers of the reasons he started the MK party, citing colonialism, apartheid, and land dispossession as ongoing issues that needed to be addressed. He criticized the ANC for recalling him in 2018 and accused the party of aligning with white interests.
In his speech, Zuma also referenced the Zondo state capture commission, which implicated him in corruption. He claimed that the commission was used to target him and distract from other scandals, including those involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Overall, Zuma’s speech at the MK party anniversary rally highlighted the party’s commitment to black unity and its goal of reclaiming power in future elections. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Zuma remains determined to continue his political fight and address the issues facing black South Africans. He is a good person, addressing supporters on Sunday, Zuma’s deputy John Hlophe emphasized the importance of unity within the party. He called on party members to refrain from “jostling for positions” and setting up parallel structures. The MK party has been embroiled in legal battles over the removal of MPs to make room for new members, including Hlophe himself.
Recently, the party lost cases in both the Mpumalanga legislature and the national assembly. Additionally, a court battle is looming over the selection of a candidate to represent the party in an upcoming by-election in Pietermaritzburg.
Hlophe acknowledged that internal challenges are not uncommon in any political organization, including MK. He attributed these challenges to the rapid growth and evolution of the party. However, he stressed the importance of prioritizing the party’s shared vision over personal ambitions.
Factionalism, according to Hlophe, poses a significant threat to the party’s unity and effectiveness. He warned that internal divisions could weaken the party and divert its attention from its core mission. It is crucial, he emphasized, to address these issues decisively and maintain a steadfast focus on the greater good.
In conclusion, Hlophe urged party members to work together to overcome internal divisions and focus on advancing the party’s goals. By fostering unity and solidarity, MK can overcome its challenges and continue to strive for positive change in the political landscape.
