Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
22 January 2024 | 12:36 p.m. SAST
2-min read

Image credits: Radio Islam International

As the 2024 South African National elections approach, the ANC attempts to contain the effects of its secretary-general’s remarks and to counter the efforts of the uMkhoto weSizwe Party (MKP), which is fronted by Jacob Zuma.

In an interview on Radio Islam International, political analysts Theodore Venter and Dirk Kotze discuss the possible impact of Zuma’s support for MKP on the ANC’s stronghold, KwaZulu-Natal.

President Zuma’s alignment with the newly formed MK party is seen as a strategic move to create a new political platform for himself after his expulsion from the ANC in 2018.

Venter suggests, “I don’t think there’s a chance for him to go to parliament. I don’t think there’s a chance for him to get the leadership again of the ANC in any way, shape or form.”

His alignment with MK aims to position himself as the saviour of the “real ANC,” contrasting it with the current leadership under President Ramaphosa.

Venter notes, “The ANC of today, led by President Ramaphosa, is not anymore the real ANC. So he wants to present himself as actually the one who wants to rescue the ANC, wants to re-instate the ANC, and is using, therefore, MK as an instrument for that.”

The ANC’s historical prominence in KZN has been shifting, and Zuma’s focus on disrupting the province reflects his belief that this would force the ANC to heed his influence.

However, Kotze adds, “The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal used to be the large portion of the ANC in terms of numbers, in terms of branches. I think that is changing over time.”

The impact of Zuma’s move on the ANC in KZN is substantial. The ANC is caught in a dilemma, contemplating whether to take action against Zuma or provide him with the silent treatment.

“It’s a huge challenge to the ANC, because on the one hand, if they take action against him, it provides Zuma with the kind of exposure that he needs. It makes a victim of Zuma…” Venter said.

A third approach is emerging, with the ANC focusing on restructuring the leadership in KZN to reduce Zuma’s political influence.

Kotze explains, “The ANC’s strategy at the moment is to focus very strongly at the leadership of the ANC in KZN. There’s even rumours that the ANC is going to take apart the KZN PEC, the Provincial Executive Council, and replace it with an interim structure.”

Kotze notes that the ANC’s challenge lies in its weakened political base in KZN, with divisions beyond the pro-Ramaphosa and pro-Zuma factions. The ANC is expected to struggle to secure its historical stronghold in KZN in the upcoming elections.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.