By Zukile Majova
- The MK party is growing beyond KwaZulu-Natal, winning its second ANC ward in two weeks.
- Former EFF leader Floyd Shivambu is helping MK expand by building party structures across the country
The uMhonto Wesizwe party has won another ANC ward by beating the party in a by-election in the Western Cape.
This marks the second ANC ward lost to the MK party in two weeks, following their victory in a by-election in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal.
Impeached former Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe, now MK’s deputy president, is being credited with securing the win in Ward 1 of the Middelpos district in Saldanha Bay.
The party founded by former president Jacob Zuma won by 44% of the votes, while the ANC managed 31%.
The EFF secured 18%, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) got 7%, and the DA trailed with only 1%.
The MK party now controls four wards across the country—two in KZN, one in Rustenburg, and one in the Western Cape.
Since its formation in December 2023, MK had no real structures in many districts.
But since the high-profile defection of former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, the party has been rapidly building branches and taking advantage of weak ANC structures.
Shivambu, now the MK party’s secretary-general, has experience in growing political organisations from scratch.
More than a decade ago, he helped Julius Malema turn a breakaway group from the ANCYL into the EFF, which is now a major political force.
The MK party continues to gain ground beyond KZN, proving it is not just a Zuma-supporting movement. The party has also built a strong presence in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
Meanwhile, in other by-election results, the ANC managed to retain Ward 1 in Joe Morolong, Northern Cape, and Ward 59 in Johannesburg.
Pictured above: MK Party.
Image source: @uMKHONTO WESIZWE Info Centre
