The MK party, which gained significant attention and support during the May general elections, has been struggling to maintain its momentum. Initially, it capitalized on frustration with the ANC, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where communities were dissatisfied with ongoing service delivery failures. The party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, attracted voters with promises of change, yet many supporters are now feeling let down by the lack of tangible improvements.
Frustrated Supporters Voice Disappointment
Thokozani Dimba, a supporter from Dassenhoek, west of Durban, explained why she voted for MK: “We were tired of ANC promises… We didn’t have water, we didn’t have electricity, and people were tired of potholes and crime.” However, Dimba expressed disappointment as the situation remains unchanged after the election. “We were expecting that at least MK would highlight our plight and ensure our cries were heard in Parliament,” she said.
Sizwe Sithole, another supporter from Ntuzuma, echoed similar frustration, hoping that MK would bring jobs and housing. “But still, our situation hasn’t changed,” he lamented, adding that the party’s focus has shifted to leadership changes rather than fulfilling its promises.
Leadership Changes and Internal Struggles
The party has faced internal strife, with protests over new leadership appointments, including former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu and former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu. Zuma responded to these protests, warning detractors that leadership changes would continue, emphasizing the need for capable leaders. Some supporters, fearful of repercussions, declined to speak publicly, underscoring the party’s increasingly tense internal dynamics.
Setbacks in By-Elections and Declining Support
Despite initial successes, such as receiving 45.3% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal during the May elections, MK has struggled in subsequent by-elections. In places like Mtubatuba and uMsunduzi, MK has seen a decline in support, and in Thabazimbi, the party only managed to secure one proportional representation seat.
Political analysts have noted MK’s strong performance in Zulu-speaking areas but a broader struggle to expand its influence. Wayne Sussman, an independent political analyst, commented that MK’s struggles to consolidate its early successes were evident in KZN by-elections, where its results have worsened since May. He also pointed out that Jacob Zuma’s advancing age might pose a challenge for the party’s future leadership.
Missed Opportunity for KwaZulu-Natal Leadership
Zakhele Ndlovu, a political analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, highlighted the MK party’s missed opportunity to govern KZN after securing 45.3% of the provincial vote. He noted that no party is willing to collaborate with MK due to reputational concerns, with the DA and ANC particularly wary of aligning with the party. The IFP, which currently governs KZN, views MK as a rival in the battle for Zulu votes, and other parties like the NFP and EFF have either dismissed or distanced themselves from MK due to its internal turmoil and lack of clear progress.
Ndlovu believes that the battle in KZN’s 2026 local government elections will be between MK and the IFP, as the ANC’s hold on the province continues to erode. However, with MK’s failure to capitalize on its previous success and limited political alliances, its future remains uncertain.
Looking Ahead
The MK party’s struggle to expand its support and meet the expectations of its voters, combined with internal divisions and leadership challenges, points to a difficult road ahead. While the party continues to capture headlines with high-profile figures like Zuma, Shivambu, and Mchunu, it faces mounting challenges in converting political promises into real change for its supporters. As the 2026 local government elections approach, MK will need to rebuild trust and show tangible results if it hopes to remain a significant player in South Africa’s political landscape.