ANC National Chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, has attributed the party’s significant electoral setbacks in key provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and parts of Mpumalanga, to the influence of former President Jacob Zuma. Speaking during a memorial service for the late Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana in Gugulethu, Mantashe pointed to Zuma’s enduring political sway as a primary factor behind the ANC’s decline in these areas.
Mantashe highlighted how supporters, though appearing to back the ANC publicly, ultimately cast their votes for the newly established MK Party, led by Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. “People went to the voting booths wearing ANC T-shirts, they ate ANC food, but they voted for the MK Party,” Mantashe remarked, suggesting that the loyalty to Zuma undermined the ANC’s electoral strength.
The MK Party has grown in influence, particularly among former uMkhonto weSizwe members and factions disillusioned with the ANC. Mantashe noted that this rise in ethno-nationalism, particularly in provinces traditionally aligned with the ANC, significantly weakened the party’s electoral performance. He emphasized that Zuma’s influence reached beyond just the ANC, also negatively impacting the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), with the MK Party gaining ground in political strongholds historically associated with the IFP, especially in Gauteng’s hostels.
“The MK Party has ethno-nationalism elements, and it occupied the space of the IFP in hostels in Gauteng, taking their votes,” Mantashe said, noting the disruptive effect of Zuma’s legacy on the broader political landscape.
As the ANC continues to face increasing competition from emerging parties and internal divisions, Mantashe’s remarks underscore the lasting impact of Zuma’s leadership on the party’s fortunes. The ANC now grapples with how to address these challenges as it seeks to reclaim lost ground ahead of future elections.