The African National Congress (ANC) has conceded defeat in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s second-largest province. The party, which previously held an outright majority, fell to third place in the recent elections.
With nearly all votes counted, former President Jacob Zuma’s MK party leads with 45% in the provincial legislature elections. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) secured second place with 18%, while the ANC’s support plummeted to 17%, a significant drop from 54% in the 2019 election.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Mafika Mndebele expressed the party’s humility in response to the electorate’s decision and confirmed ongoing discussions with other parties to form a stable coalition government.
Zuma, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, has maintained a loyal following. His announcement in December to campaign for the MK party, citing his inability to support an ANC led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, significantly impacted the ANC’s vote share.
The MK party is contesting some election results, hoping for a recount that could grant it an outright majority, thus negating the need for a coalition.
Zuma, South Africa’s first president from KwaZulu-Natal, was forced to resign in 2018 amid corruption allegations, which he denies. Following his ousting, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order related to a corruption inquiry during his presidency. Although he was released after three months to quell unrest among his supporters, his conviction bars him from holding a seat in either national or provincial parliament.
Zuma maintains his innocence, claiming the corruption charges are part of a political conspiracy.
