JOHANNESBURG — As the MK Party elections campaign enters its crucial final weekend, party leader President Jacob Zuma is resting after an intensive campaign trail, while the organization addresses internal disputes and finalizes its grassroots push ahead of Wednesday’s polls.
Grassroots Strategy and Localized Campaigning
The party has relied on a ground-up financial strategy, bypassing major corporate funding in favor of small contributions from everyday supporters. The spokesperson noted that the campaign deliberately avoided massive stadium rallies, focusing instead on visiting small wards and communities that have historically lacked basic services.
This localized strategy is evident in the party’s final weekend plans. In the City of Johannesburg, incoming mayoral candidate Bongani Baloyi has been actively visiting local hostels and engaging with communities in Soweto. Party leadership remains confident in his grassroots engagement, indicating he is well-positioned to secure the mayoral position.
President Jacob Zuma’s Health and Weekend Address
Addressing recent concerns regarding the health of President Jacob Zuma, the party spokesperson clarified that the leader recently underwent a routine medical checkup. After completing seven days of back-to-back campaigning across multiple provinces, doctors advised him to take a week of rest.
The spokesperson confirmed that the President is healthy, sharp, and in good spirits. To maintain connection with the base, President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to address party members, the diaspora, and the international community via online streams over the weekend.
Resolving Candidate List Disputes
The final campaign push comes as the party manages internal friction regarding its candidate lists. Thirty-six excluded councillor candidates have publicly demanded the expulsion of party officials, accusing them of manipulating the lists submitted to the Electoral Commission. Despite these grievances, the excluded members have still called on supporters to vote for the party.
The party spokesperson explained that the omissions were largely due to administrative errors, such as spelling mistakes, incorrect ID numbers, or candidates inadvertently appearing on multiple municipal lists. Assuring the public that there was no malfeasance, the spokesperson stated that President Jacob Zuma has made it clear that displeased candidates will find grace either through the Proportional Representation (PR) list or through post-election engagement. An interim committee has been established to resolve these issues once the elections conclude.
Addressing Internal Letters and Leadership Stability
The spokesperson also addressed recent media reports concerning a letter penned by the party’s former secretary-general, Sibonelo Nomvalo. The letter reportedly accused certain party officials of undermining his leadership and sabotaging his efforts to secure a meeting with President Jacob Zuma.
While the spokesperson noted they had not yet reviewed the specific letter, they cautioned that the media often inflates divisions or takes statements out of context. They emphasized that Sibonelo Nomvalo and other party officials have historically worked closely together, dismissing the reports as exaggerated.
Regarding broader concerns about internal fighting and recent leadership changes, the spokesperson defended the party’s restructuring approach. They reiterated that President Jacob Zuma is committed to making necessary changes for the party’s benefit, including youth engagement and strategic redeployments, rather than keeping unhappy officials in place.
As the MK Party elections campaign draws to a close, leadership remains unified in its final message, urging all South Africans to grant them the mandate to deliver clean, active, and effective local government.
