MK Party's emphatic by-election victory in Mandeni boosts its standing in KZN's political landscape
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)
Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
The by-election in Mandeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal is boosting hopes that the MK Party will do well in next year's local government elections.
Party members praised the win, describing it as an indication that it is still trusted by the public. The victory comes despite recent ructions in the party's national leadership including the suspension of deputy president, Dr John Hlophe. Party leader and former president Jacob Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma Sambudla has also been involved in controversy over allegations that she had trafficked men to fight for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Siphelele Mkhwanazi was elected as the party's new ward 17 councillor in the Mandeni by-elections, he trounced both the IFP and the ANC. The party described the outcome as a decisive victory, as the ward was previously held by the ANC.
The results show that the MK Party secured 1,316 votes, followed by the ANC at 642 and IFP at 199. The party has won several wards since it outperformed many parties in the national government elections earlier this year.
During the sitting of the provincial legislature on Thursday, members of the legislature praised the outcome.
DL Nzama of the MKP said, “Today, I salute the people of KZN. Today we have a brand new councillor in Mandeni. The people of KwaZulu-natal are showing very clearly that their hope is with Umkhonto weSizwe.”
ZG Ngcobo of MKP said, “I want to congratulate the people's party, the MKP for its easy victory in Mandeni. It shows that people of KZN trust Umkhonto we Sizwe and believe it is their only hope,” she said.
Mphikeleli Mthethwa of the MKP quipped: “It would be a mistake not to remind the Government of Provincial Unity that MKP had an easy victory in Mandeni on Tuesday.”
Political analyst Professor Musa Xulu said the results were not surprising and was in line with the party's performance especially in the Mandeni area.
“From its launch in December 2023, the MK Party has always been strong in Mandeni. There is even an MK Party 'battalion' which works full time on the ground,” he explained.