Cape Town — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has responded to the claims that the party’s success thus far at this year’s elections is down to “Zulu tribalism”.
The MK Party was responding to claims made by ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, who expressed his surprise at the MK’s strong showing in KZN. He put it down to Zulu tribalism. Mantashe’s views were echoed by DA federal chair, Helen Zille.
“They have done well in KZN, we must say they are doing well in KZN. They have surprised me a little bit there, but they are not going to do that in other provinces. If the impact in KZN reflects something different, it reflects Zulu tribalism. I don’t think we should lock ourselves into Zulu tribalism. It is a backward form of politics.” Mantashe said.
In response, the MK denied that the its success was down to any form of tribalism, and said that the remarks made by Mantashe and Zille as “disrespectful”, The Citizen reported.
“This deeply disrespectful and insulting perspective not only undermines the political agency of the Zulu people but also dismisses their legitimate political choices as mere tribal affiliations. Such divisive rhetoric portrays the Zulu people as non-thinking and sheep-like, following an outdated narrative that is both dangerous and offensive.” party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said.
MK party condemns the reckless tribal-infused statement by both the ANC and its impending coalition partner, the DA.
MK Party denounces the toxic remarks made by ANC’s Gwede Mantashe, to characterize the MK Party’s electoral success of in KZN as a product of “Zulu tribalism.… pic.twitter.com/id1mHGW4qN
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (@MkhontoweSizwex) May 30, 2024
Ndhlela said the party views the statements as “reflective of a leadership in crisis”. and that the two party’s have resorted to scapegoating and throwing shade at other party’s instead of focusing on their own leadership issues.
He also said their common mentalities is no surprise as the parties are on the verge of forming a coalition.
The MK party has called on all South Africans to reject “these parties for their attempts to regress to the toxic times of tribalism and racism and join the MK party in calling for an end to their embarrassing immaturity.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
