Cape Town – Leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Jacob Zuma has expressed determination to emancipate Africans, noting ongoing oppression and poverty.
Speaking from his residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, during the unveiling of vehicles for the party’s election campaign, Zuma criticised perceived betrayal by some individuals and emphasised the need for a strong organisation to uplift black people.
“We have seen that we haven’t reached where we wanted to reach. People amongst us turned against us and became white people. They arrested us for nothing, doing the same thing that was done by the apartheid government whereas they call themselves freedom fighters. They have reversed all the good things we have done and that is why people have decided to build this strong and powerful organisation. It’s like Noah’s ark that will save black people,” SABC quoted him as saying.
@ Nkandla today 💥 but didn’t they & the media say he’s collapsed & half dead…,hey u Zuma uyagula u Zuma usesibhedlela niyanyela nangu u Msholozi 🤔 pic.twitter.com/2Po0tJ1mEb
— MLANDO (@MLANDO60870174) April 25, 2024
Zuma announced in December he would campaign for the upstart left-wing MK party that took the name of the armed wing of the ruling National African Congress (ANC) when it fought white-minority rule.
The ANC tried to prevent the party from using the moniker but a court in Durban, the capital of Kwa-Zulu Natal province and Zuma’s stronghold, rejected the plea.
A crowd of Zuma supporters sang and danced, waiting for his speech at his home village of Nkandla, AFP reported.
Under the scorching sun, some shouted “Zuma Zuma”.
“Zuma is very smart, he is the only one who can fix the issues South Africa is facing,” Asanda Ndima, 20, told AFP as she arrived in a bus carrying other supporters.
Zuma has made headlines almost daily for a series of political engagements and court battles over his legitimacy to run in the May 29 election.
Yesterday we had great time at Nkandla at Umkhonto Wesizwe Party event and President Zuma is well and alive #VoteMK2024 🖤💚 pic.twitter.com/CQ2ZFmXumt
— Sankara (@bonginkosicleme) April 26, 2024
According to recent polls, his former political home the ANC is on course to score below 50 percent for the first time since it came to power in 1994 when apartheid ended.
Despite being formed a little over six months ago, the latest polls predict the MK will garner 13 percent of the vote in the election.
“The people voting for the MK are the elderly, who know Zuma’s work and know that they were taken care of under him with their grants increased yearly,” Mxolisi Thuseni, 52, told AFP.
“The youth who feel hopeless about the future and former ANC and IFP members who are disgruntled have also joined the MK,” the timber entrepreneur added, referring to the Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party.
“I have joined the MK because I am frustrated as a young unemployed person in this country. I want change,” 25-year-old Nompilo Ngoma said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
