All roads will lead to Durban’s Mose Mabhida Stadium today as the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) hosts it’s first anniversary celebrations.
And no amount of sabotage will stand in the way as thousands of members and supporters are expected to fill up the stadium, says the leadership of the party.
MKP spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Vincent Mdunge said it was all systems go as they ready themselves for the “greatest” celebration, adding that there were plans for buses from different regions of KwaZulu-Natal to transport the party’s rank and file.
Mdunge said the excitement was also palpable in other provinces including Gauteng and Mpumalanga as members and supporters wanted to be part of the milestone event.
Former President Jacob Zuma announced last year announced the formation of the MKP to challenge the African National Congress. The party went on to win the majority of votes in KwaZulu-Natal in general elections in May.
Speaking to Sunday Tribune yesterday, Mdunge said that they had made arrangements to transport their members and supporters by bus as efforts to organise trains had been turned down by the Public Rail of Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
“This thing smacks of politics on the side of Prasa and we warn them that they should refrain from entering such space because they are a public entity and should therefore focus on that mandate,” Mdunge said.
He said a series of activities were held in a build up to today’s rally and they had generated a lot of excitement, with people eager to be part of the festivities.
Mdunge said a mini rally held in KwaXimba this week, had drawn a crowd of nearly 30 000 people.
Asked why KwaXimba area was such a happy hunting ground for MKP, he cited the unhappiness of people over service delivery, especially water supply.
“What they see in MK Party especially our leader President Zuma is a man who understands and is willing to address their plight,” said Mdunge.
He said that while the mood would be celebratory, they wanted those attending the rally to behave themselves.
“What we are emphasising is that while we will be celebrating, our people should refrain from irresponsible drinking. In fact, those who will be attending and happen to be driving should not drink at all, we want responsible behaviour during our celebrations,” Mdunge said.
According to eThekwini metro police there will be no road closures today, but the police will be keeping a watchful eye around the venue to ensure that law and order prevails.
University of KwaZulu-Natal(UKZN) political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said the party’s top brass was likely to use today’s gathering as a show of strength ahead of the 2026 local government elections, adding that they were likely to do this by unveiling new leaders who have defected from other parties.
“Make no mistake this is the start of the groundwork ahead of the local government elections and taking the MK Party lightly will be a mistake,” said Ntombela.
He noted that while the environment was rife for an alternative political formation in the country, the MKPs fortunes were limited as the party used a wrong approach in marketing itself.
“The party needs to demonstrate that it is not a one-man show because we have seen what happens to those in this country,” said Ntombela.
He cited the United Democratic Movement, Congress Of the People and Economic Freedom Fighters as examples of what happens when parties are centred on one strong personality.
He stressed that while such parties perform well at the initial stages of their formation, they gradually lose the momentum, and some, like Cope eventually close shop.
“If Zuma had adopted a style of being scenes and just not be the face of the organisation there would be hope of the MK Party living beyond him, but at the current stage that will not happen,” said the analyst.
Ntombela said the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille was an example of a leader who takes and influences decisions behind the scenes while allowing John Steenhuisen to operate as party leader.
“Zille does score some own goals but the manner in which she operates means that even when she is gone the DA will continue to survive, that is not something that you can say about uMkhonto weSizwe Party beyond Zuma at the moment because of the tight grip he has on the party,” Ntombela said.
However, he said the MKP would do well in the next local government elections.
Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda was not available for comment on the allegation that they turned down the MKP’s application because of political pressure.