Former ANC chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu, remains confident in the party’s resilience despite recent setbacks and a decline in election support in the province. His remarks come in response to former comrade Willies Mchunu’s decision to join Jacob Zuma’s newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party as the provincial convenor, just weeks after resigning from the ANC.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s national executive committee meeting in Boksburg, Senzo Mchunu encouraged ANC leadership to tackle the party’s issues “head-on,” expressing optimism about the party’s future. “The ANC is not about to die there. It’s about to get back to its former glory, and we will see to it that it happens,” Mchunu said. “Those who are gone, let them go, and we wish them good luck. Those of us who are remaining will rebuild the ANC because if there’s a problem in your home, you don’t change your surname.”
At the national level, Mchunu noted that the ANC is actively working to strengthen its base after the party’s support fell below the critical threshold required for outright governance. “Through the president, we’re committed to rebuilding the organization. We are ready to take responsibility and make this happen,” he added.
Willies Mchunu’s resignation earlier this month signaled discontent with the ANC’s current path, stating in his resignation letter that he believed the party should have pursued a different trajectory, potentially working alongside Zuma’s MK Party. Mchunu, a long-time ally of Zuma, was a key figure in ANC provincial dynamics, notably supporting Zuma’s presidential bid in 2007 and later aiding in the provincial leadership shift that saw Senzo Mchunu replaced by Sihle Zikalala.
Senzo Mchunu, however, downplayed the impact of his former colleague’s departure, noting, “When we fought for democracy, we opened up political choices for everyone, including Willies. People are free to make their political choices.” Reflecting on the ANC’s history of member defections and returns, he added, “Political shifts are not new—some people leave and come back, and others move on.”
As the ANC faces the critical task of regaining support, Mchunu’s message underscores a commitment to unity and perseverance in addressing the party’s current challenges, even as it navigates a changing political landscape in South Africa.
