In a statement issued on Saturday, December 16, 2023, former President Jacob Zuma publicly disassociated himself from the African National Congress (ANC) and declared his intention to cast his vote in favor of a recently established political entity in South Africa’s forthcoming general election scheduled for the ensuing year.
Zuma, who held the presidency of the ANC from 2007 to 2017, expressed his endorsement for the newly-formed Umkhonto we Sizwe party, named after the now-defunct military wing of the ANC, disbanded subsequent to the liberation struggle.
Advocating for the support of the new political formation, the 81-year-old Zuma urged fellow South Africans to refrain from voting for the ANC under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, asserting that such an act would constitute “a betrayal.”
“I’m calling members of the ANC, MK, to vote for MK. That’s what I’m calling for. I’m not going to vote for the ANC. I’m going to vote for MK,” he affirmed.
The approaching general election, slated for 2024, is anticipated to be fiercely contested, with the long-standing ruling ANC facing a myriad of challenges. Recent polls suggest the possibility of the ANC receiving less than 50% of the national vote for the first time, potentially necessitating the formation of a coalition government to retain power.
Addressing journalists in Johannesburg’s Soweto township during a briefing on Saturday, Zuma characterized his decision as an integral component of rescuing the ANC.
Zuma, ousted from the presidency by Ramaphosa in 2018 amid widespread corruption allegations during his tenure from 2009 to 2018, has encountered legal challenges since leaving office. Notably, he received a 15-month prison sentence for defying a court order related to a judicial commission of inquiry investigating corruption allegations against him and other prominent figures from his time in office.
Furthermore, Zuma faces corruption charges in connection with South Africa’s 1999 arms procurement deal, a trial beset by significant delays in proceedings.
As the ANC confronts formidable competition from opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, the role of smaller parties and independent candidates could prove pivotal in potential coalition negotiations. This week, the ANC indicated its intention to legally contest the use of the name Umkhonto we Sizwe by the newly formed political entity, arguing that the name rightfully belongs to the ANC.
