The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is projecting confidence ahead of South Africa’s 4 November local government elections, saying it believes it can take control of the eThekwini Municipality.
With parties stepping up their campaigns across KwaZulu-Natal, the MK Party is positioning eThekwini as one of its most important targets as it seeks to translate its strong support in the province into control of the metro.
MK Party KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Mkhuseli Mlingani said the party believed the political momentum was moving in its direction.
MK Party Says Signs Point to Victory
Mlingani said the party was confident that the developments on the ground indicated that it could emerge as the leading force in eThekwini after the election.
“The indicators that we are going to take over eThekwini are there,” he said, arguing that the party’s prospects were increasingly difficult to ignore.
His comments come as political parties intensify their efforts to win support from residents before voters head to the polls.
MK Accuses ANC of Trying to Counter Its Support
The MK Party spokesperson also criticised the African National Congress, accusing it of attempting to undermine the MK Party’s momentum by presenting new members as former MK supporters.
Mlingani claimed some of the people being welcomed by the ANC were not known to the MK Party’s structures.
He described the alleged defections as political “gimmicks”, although the claims represent the MK Party’s position and have not been independently established.
The ANC remains a major competitor for control of eThekwini, a municipality it has governed for decades.
Strong KwaZulu-Natal Base Fuels MK Ambitions
The MK Party’s confidence is partly rooted in its performance in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The party emerged as a significant political force in the province, providing it with a substantial base from which to launch its local government campaign.
The upcoming election will test whether that support can be converted into municipal power, particularly in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal’s largest metropolitan municipality.
Phakathi Takes Over as MK Mayoral Candidate
The party’s campaign has also undergone a significant change at the top.
Apostle Mxolisi Phakathi is now the MK Party’s mayoral candidate for eThekwini after replacing Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi.
Hlophe-Mkhwanazi was initially announced as the candidate in August but was removed after allegations surrounding the party’s councillor candidate lists triggered an internal investigation. The MK Party said it was investigating claims that candidate lists submitted to the Electoral Commission had been manipulated.
The leadership change came only days after Hlophe-Mkhwanazi had been unveiled, making Phakathi the party’s candidate with the election campaign already underway.
Hlophe-Mkhwanazi Remains on the Certified List
Despite losing the mayoral nomination, Hlophe-Mkhwanazi remains an important part of the MK Party’s electoral slate.
The Electoral Commission’s published proportional representation list places her at the top of the MK Party’s eThekwini list, while Phakathi does not appear on that certified list.
The unusual situation means the person now campaigning as the party’s mayoral candidate and the person heading its certified PR list are different.
Candidate List Dispute Adds Pressure
The controversy surrounding the candidate lists has created an additional challenge for the MK Party as it attempts to present a united campaign.
Party officials have acknowledged problems involving candidate selections, while MK Party first deputy president Duduzane Zuma has described the disputes as involving internal contestation and alleged sabotage. He has nevertheless backed Phakathi as the party’s choice for eThekwini.
The party leadership has called on its structures to put the internal disputes behind them and focus on the election campaign.
Service Delivery Will Shape the Battle
The contest for eThekwini is expected to focus heavily on issues affecting residents’ daily lives.
Water shortages, electricity problems, deteriorating infrastructure, unemployment and broader service-delivery concerns are among the issues likely to dominate campaigning.
The city’s problems have provided opposition parties with opportunities to challenge the ANC’s long-standing control of the municipality.
MK Faces a Crowded Mayoral Race
The MK Party will not be the only political organisation seeking control of eThekwini.
The ANC, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters and ActionSA are among the parties contesting the metro, with candidates already identified for the mayoral race.
That makes eThekwini one of the most closely watched contests in the November elections.
For the MK Party, the immediate challenge will be turning its confidence and KwaZulu-Natal support into votes while keeping its campaign focused despite the controversy surrounding its candidate-selection process.
A High-Stakes Test for the MK Party
The 4 November election will ultimately determine whether the MK Party can make the jump from a major political force in KwaZulu-Natal to the governing party in eThekwini.
Party officials insist the signs are pointing towards victory.
The final verdict, however, will rest with voters as the competing parties battle for control of the metro and campaign on the issues that matter most to its residents.
