MK Party
By Thabo Mosia
In a strongly worded media statement released on Saturday, 22 March 2025, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (“MK Party”) accused the Government of National Unity (“GNU”) of deliberately using state-owned platforms to erase and discredit the legacy of former President Jacob Zuma. The party claims the GNU is manipulating public information to push a narrow political narrative that undermines Zuma’s contribution to South Africa’s history and misleads the public.
The accusations come after the government’s official social media account, “@GovernmentZA”, posted images and commentary from the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. While the post acknowledged the presence of former heads of state, it did not mention or show Zuma, who, according to the MK Party, attended the ceremony. The MK Party labelled the omission as a “blatant act of political provocation” and part of a larger campaign to delegitimise Zuma and suppress his influence ahead of the national elections.
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“A Calculated Act of Political Erasure”
The MK Party’s media statement accused the GNU—led by a coalition dominated by the Democratic Alliance (DA)—of using state communication platforms for “biased political agendas” that distort the truth. “The so-called GNU has insulted both President Zuma and the nation at large,” the statement reads. “By deliberately choosing to single out and not acknowledge the President’s presence at the inauguration, the so-called GNU has undermined the values of honesty and transparency expected from a democratic government.”
The statement further notes that Zuma’s attendance at the inauguration was well-received by the Namibian government and community. “It is unfortunate that the current government, the so-called GNU, perceives President Zuma as such a threat that they have resorted to attempting to erase his presence in spaces of national interest,” the party added.
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MK Party’s Accusations Rooted in Broader Tensions
This incident is not occurring in a vacuum. The MK Party’s tensions with the ruling government coalition have deepened since the formation of the GNU following South Africa’s hotly contested 2024 general elections. Zuma’s political resurgence through the MK Party has rattled the political establishment. In January 2024, Zuma publicly endorsed the MK Party, causing a split within the African National Congress (ANC), where he once served as president.
In June 2024, the MK Party attempted to block the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament by approaching the Constitutional Court. The party claimed the elections were marred by irregularities and that the announcement of results did not reflect the will of the people. The court dismissed the application, stating that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had acted within the law. But for many MK supporters, the episode reinforced their perception of political suppression.
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“9 Wasted Years” and the Fight Over Zuma’s Legacy
One of the key phrases in the GNU’s post that has enraged the MK Party is the continued use of the phrase “9 wasted years.” This refers to the ANC’s own internal criticism of the period between 2009 and 2018, when Zuma was president. The phrase was popularised during Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency to refer to a time of alleged state capture, corruption, and economic decline.
However, the MK Party views this narrative as a distortion of history. In its media release, it accuses the GNU of using such messaging to mislead the public. “This calculated act of political erasure is not only petty politics, but a big insult to the history of South Africa,” the statement reads. “President Jacob Zuma is not going anywhere, regardless of any deliberate attempts at erasing his presence and legacy.”
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The Role of State-Owned Platforms in a Democracy
The MK Party’s criticism centres on what it calls the misuse of “state-owned platforms” such as official social media pages to disseminate propaganda. “The use of state-owned platforms to promote biased political agendas undermines the principles of fairness and impartiality. Such actions threaten the integrity of democratic processes,” the party asserts.
The media statement calls on the GNU to ensure that public communication channels remain neutral spaces “that foster open, honest dialogue and should not be used as a tool to promote political propaganda.”
This raises broader questions about the independence of state media and public communication platforms in South Africa. While these platforms are managed by public servants, the government has influence over content, and that influence is now under scrutiny.
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Zuma’s Enduring Popularity and the MK Party’s Rise
Despite no longer being president, Jacob Zuma remains one of South Africa’s most influential political figures. His base of support is especially strong in KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK Party has established deep grassroots networks. The MK Party’s emergence in the 2024 elections, capturing a significant share of the vote, is largely attributed to Zuma’s backing.
Political analysts have warned that attempts to erase or ignore Zuma’s presence at major events could further embolden his supporters and escalate tensions. “When governments try to erase inconvenient parts of history, it often has the opposite effect,” says political analyst Prof. Thuli Nkomo. “It radicalises the base, deepens divisions, and undermines the legitimacy of public institutions.”
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GNU Yet to Respond Publicly
At the time of publication, the Government of National Unity had not responded to the MK Party’s allegations. Multiple media outlets have attempted to reach the Presidency and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for comment, but no official statements have been issued.
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