A coalition between the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the ANC could be on the cards in eThekwini after the latest election results indicated that no party would secure an outright majority.
Several MK Party insiders have confirmed that the party’s newly established National Negotiation Team (NNT) is preparing to meet ANC representatives in the coming days to explore a possible coalition agreement.
“We are not going to allow the DA to dictate the rules in eThekwini or anywhere where we achieved a majority. The old man has warmed up to speaking to the ANC. Ramaphosa is on his way out, and we are finding each other.
“An alliance of progressive black parties is the only way we can unite. To do this, we must put our differences aside and come together for the sake of our people. There is no other way,” a senior MK Party insider told IOL.
The sentiments were echoed by several other party insiders who expressed concern about a repeat of the political developments following the 2024 elections, when the MK Party was excluded from governing arrangements despite its strong electoral performance.
A coalition involving the ANC, IFP and EFF kept the party out of power in eThekwini.
The MK Party has emerged as the third-largest party nationally and the largest in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the reported results.
Senior DA leader Helen Zille has warned against any coalition involving the MK Party in eThekwini, while the DA has reportedly been working behind the scenes to prevent such an arrangement.
“We cannot have an MK coalition of any kind in eThekwini. I can tell you our GNU partners are talking to avoid that.
“One of the key players is the IFP because we know MK is speaking to them. But the GNU warned them before the elections of our commitment to keeping the GNU and the provincial government of unity,” a DA insider said.
‘We won’t allow DA to dictate’: Zuma’s MK Party eyes deal with ANC to take eThekwini