In a significant political development in South Africa, the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, has announced its intention to join an alliance of smaller opposition parties. This coalition, known as the “Progressive Caucus,” is designed to challenge the newly formed coalition government led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The ANC, which has ruled South Africa for the past 30 years, recently entered into a coalition with the DA, a pro-business party primarily supported by white South Africans. This “government of national unity” marks a dramatic shift in the political landscape following the ANC’s loss of its parliamentary majority in the May 29 election.
The MK party, which achieved a notable third place in the election with 14.6% of the vote (equivalent to 58 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly), initially boycotted the first parliamentary session. This boycott was in response to their allegations of vote-rigging, which the country’s top court subsequently dismissed.
Nhlamulo Ndhlela, speaking on behalf of Zuma, stated that the MK party would join the “Progressive Caucus,” which includes the Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the centre-left United Democratic Movement (UDM). Collectively, this alliance holds close to 30% of the seats in the National Assembly.
Zuma criticized the unity government, describing it as a “white-led unholy alliance” and expressing his opposition to what he sees as its right-wing and reactionary stance. He emphasized the necessity of the Progressive Caucus in opposing these forces and advocating for economic freedom, radical economic transformation, racial equality, and land repossession.
Despite the court’s dismissal of their vote-rigging claims, MK has decided to take up its seats in the National Assembly and continue to pursue its allegations within the parliamentary and judicial systems. The Independent Electoral Commission has maintained that the election was conducted fairly and freely.
This alliance marks a pivotal moment in South African politics, with the Progressive Caucus poised to play a crucial role in the opposition against the ANC-DA coalition government.
