The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will on Sunday issue the official election results. The most interesting part of these elections is the emergence of a party that has been formed in just about five months ago. Umkhonto Wesizwe was formed on the 16 December 2023 by the former president Jacob Zuma. Mr. Zuma once again has proven beyond reasonable doubts that he is the master of the game. Zuma as a chess player himself, he has now “checkmate” the ruling party.
Umkhonto Wesizwe is now the third biggest party in South Africa with more than 2 million votes after the Democratic Alliance which has more than 3 million votes, and with no outright winner in this year’s elections. The African National Congress which has gathered just more than 6 million votes need to start talks with other parties as it has just about 40.29% votes which is less than the required threshold of 50%.
The reality now is that Zuma through uMkhonto Wesizwe Party is now a kingmaker as opposed to the DA and EFF. In my opinion there is true sense in a coalition with Umkhonto Wesizwe than any other party. Jacob Zuma has on many occasions indicated that he is still a member of the ANC despite having formed Umkhonto Wesizwe. Umkhonto Wesizwe knows the ANC Policies as most of its followers are coming from the ANC ranks. Currently the party does not have formal structures as they never held a conference, so there might be no hardliners to persuade. The ANC need to reconcile with Jacob Zuma and swallow its pride. There is no doubt that Zuma has taught the ruling party a good lesson.
If the ANC is serious about its organisational renewal it will consider talking to Zuma and close ranks. My opinion goes further in suggesting that such negotiations should also include the EFF. The coalition with the DA will be disastrous for the ANC as many people within the ANC still view it as a “White Only Party” that is associated with racism. The ANC need to put forward the interests of its membership and avoid causing further damage in the organisation. My message to the ANC is simply “Swallow your Pride and talk to Zuma’
Lulama ka Sozathini – Editor-in-chief Icamagu News
