The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), led by former President Jacob Zuma, is seeking to capitalize on its popularity in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal's only metro, in the November 4 local government elections. With over two million registered voters, eThekwini is one of the most closely watched municipalities in the province. The MK Party emerged as the biggest party in eThekwini in the 2024 general elections and now aims to translate that support into control of the council.
The 2021 municipal elections saw the African National Congress (ANC) lose its outright majority, forcing it to form alliances with smaller parties, including the Abantu Batho Congress, to retain control. However, polls by Ipsos, Mark Data, Sabi, and Social Research Foundation suggest that the MK Party is likely to emerge as the largest party, with Ipsos putting its support above 50%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is also polling strongly, while the ANC is projected to slip to third place.
The DA has made stopping an MK Party-led administration a central plank of its campaign. Dean Macpherson, the DA's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, said polling showed that the DA was the only party large enough to prevent an MK Party mayor. "What the polling shows is that the DA is now the only party big enough to stop an MKP mayor in eThekwini, which would be disastrous for the city and its residents, which has suffered so much already," he said.
At the DA's final election rally in Durban, provincial leader Sithembiso Ngema attacked the MK Party's record and leadership, questioning its leadership changes and warning that they could destabilize the metro. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has put forward its long-serving MP and deputy transport minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, as its mayoral candidate, citing his experience in public administration as a key asset.
The MK Party has campaigned under the slogan Sithatha omaspala, or "we are taking all municipalities," with its mayoral candidate, Mxolisi Phakathi, expressing confidence that the party would win a majority. The party has also bolstered its campaign with the addition of former ANC eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, a Zuma loyalist with a long-standing base in the region.
Despite polls suggesting declining support, the ANC insists it will retain control of the metro. Provincial convener Mike Mabuyakhulu said, "We're focusing on ourselves and the people. We can simply say that the ANC shall retain eThekwini and the ANC will be the biggest political party." Experts, however, warn that the outcome will be close, with the MK Party likely to require support from smaller parties to govern.
Analysts have identified ActionSA as a possible kingmaker, given its stance on illegal migration. A coalition between the MK Party, ActionSA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters is possible if the MK Party falls short of a majority. With 69 parties contesting 112 municipal wards, the elections are set to be highly competitive, with the outcome likely to reshape the province's political landscape.
Key points
- The MK Party is poised to become the largest party in eThekwini metro.
- The DA is campaigning to prevent an MK Party-led administration.
- The ANC is seeking to retain control of the metro despite declining poll support.
