Jacob Zuma Leads Umkhonto we Sizwe Party List for National Assembly Election
In a significant political move ahead of South Africa’s upcoming national and provincial elections on May 29, former President Jacob Zuma emerges as the top candidate on the breakaway Umkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) list for the National Assembly.
The unveiling of the MKP national list on Saturday, March 9, 2024, reveals a diverse composition comprising longstanding associates of Zuma, alongside a cohort of political newcomers. Notably, the list also features leaders from various small parties, churches, and other groups that have thrown their support behind the former president.
Jabulani Khumalo, instrumental in the party’s registration, secures the second position on the MKP list submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Friday. Following Khumalo is Sophonia Tsekedi, president of the All African Alliance Movement (AAAM), whose party endorsed Zuma as its preferred presidential candidate earlier in January.
Further down the roster, Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile, claims the 18th spot on the MKP national list. Meanwhile, Visvin Reddy, a former ally of the African National Congress (ANC) and incumbent African Democratic Change (Adec) eThekwini councillor, is positioned at number nine on the MKP list, signaling a notable shift in allegiances.
Zuma’s endorsement of the new party, announced in December 2023, underscores his continued influence in South African politics and sets the stage for a potentially significant realignment of political dynamics in the upcoming elections.
With Zuma at the forefront, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Party aims to assert its presence and challenge the established political order, promising an intriguing contest in the electoral landscape.