By Celani Sikhakhane
The MK Party (MKP) has proven that it’s not just a Zulu-only party by winning its first ward outside KwaZulu-Natal.
The party surprised many by beating both the ANC and EFF in Ward 45, Rustenburg, North West.
On Wednesday, the MKP, which some people have labelled a Zulu-only party, surprised many by trouncing both the ANC and EFF in Rustenburg.
MKP candidate Thabiso Molefe had been working hard to win support ahead of the general elections on 29 May.
Ward 45 is located east of Rustenburg, near the Madibeng municipal border. It includes the villages of Photsaneng and Thekwane and part of Marikana near the Lonmin Karee Mine.
The ward became vacant after the ANC councillor was murdered.
This is the second time the MKP has taken a ward from the ANC, following their win in Mzumbe on the KZN South Coast.
The MKP’s success in the North West has disproved the claim that it is a tribal party only for Zulus, a claim made by some ANC leaders, including national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.
In the 2019 elections, the EFF was the most popular party in the ward, with 44% of the vote. However, their support dropped sharply in this election, with voters shifting to the ANC and MKP.
On Wednesday, the MKP won 43% of the votes, while the EFF got 24% and the ANC 33%.
The growth in the MKP’s support has upset EFF leader Julius Malema, who has since criticised Jacob Zuma and the MKP.
He recently told his supporters in Newcastle, KZN, that MKP is not their ally and that they won’t let Zuma, whom he called an “old man”, lead the black revolution.
His deputy, Floyd Shivambu, defected to Zuma’s party earlier this month, which is seen as a slap in the face for Malema.
In other by-election results:
- eThekwini: Ratepayers Association activist Andrew Akers won Ward 34 in Durban North. He beat the DA, ANC, MKP and other smaller parties. Akers received 43% of the vote, MKP 19%, ANC 18%, DA 15%, and AMC 4%.
- Tshwane: The DA won Ward 92 in Arcadia Hatfield and Ward 30 in Fafi, North West.
- Johannesburg and Cape Town: The DA retained Ward 87 in Greenside/Parkview and Ward 89 in Constantia Kloof.
- Mpumalanga: The ANC held onto Ward 17 in Mangwe village and Ward 10 in Hlalamnandi.
- North West: The ANC retained Ward 26 in Mogogelo Ratjiepane.
Pictured above: The MKP’s new Rustenburg ward councillor, Thabiso Molefe, who defeated the ANC and EFF.
Source: Supplied
