Former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party is making waves in its first election, breaking a record that has stood since 1994. No new South African party contesting national elections for the first time has attained more than two-million votes – until now. As of early Saturday morning, with 97.68% of votes counted and audited, the MK Party had secured 2,283,865 votes, surpassing the two-million mark.
This feat is all the more impressive given the party’s short history. The MK Party was founded by Zuma loyalists after his ousting from the African National Congress (ANC). Despite its controversial roots, the party has clearly resonated with many South African voters.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) results painted a grim picture for the ANC, which was set to lose its majority with its vote tally at 40.11%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) trailed behind on 21.73%, while the MKP took the third spot from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 14.80% of the vote.
The MK Party’s national votes were boosted by its strong performance in KwaZulu-Natal, where it received 45.93% [1,606,316] of the votes. This regional success is likely due to Zuma’s enduring popularity in his home province.
Despite its record-breaking achievement, the MK Party has contested the election results, calling for a recount. The party’s leadership has raised concerns about irregularities and allegations of fraud. The IEC has yet to respond to these claims.
The implications of the MK Party’s success are far-reaching. Its strong showing could potentially disrupt the political landscape in South Africa, forcing traditional parties to re-evaluate their strategies. As the country waits with bated breath for the final results, one thing is clear: the MK Party has made its mark on South African politics.
