The Umkhonto Wesizwe party is expected to launch its election manifesto under the title “People’s Mandate” at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
The party has made inroads in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal since its formation last year. However, it has not had the same effect in other parts of the country.
In the recent by-elections in Limpopo and the North West, the party was only able to garner one percent of the vote in both provinces.
The party’s leadership has also defended the decision to launch the manifesto in Johannesburg, adding that the city is in disarray.
Head of Elections Muzi Ntshingila laments the decay in the city. “The environment and the infrastructure have extremely deteriorated. The level of joblessness and the level of crime are brazenly visible for everyone to see. So Umkhonto Wesizwe is here to say we care. We will respond based on the circumstances and demands and Umkhonto Wesizwe is your home. That is why we are coming to Soweto, particularly, Orlando West. It (area) has a serious history with Umkhonto Wesizwe leading up to Orlando East and, of course, Dube. But Orlando East is Umkhonto’s home,” Ntshingila says.
Ntshingila futher adds that the MK Party is the solution to the socio-economic woes facing South Africa and alleges that the ruling party has failed to transform the country.
Probed on former President, Jacob Zuma’s dual membership for the both the ANC and MK Party, Ntshingila hasten to say: “President Zuma has been very articulate as to why he remains a member of the ANC because there’s still belief that the ANC is not doin what its supposed to do. But of course, the MK remains the solution.”
Zuma last year publicly announced his endorsement of the MK party while emphasising that he remains a member of the governing party.
The former ANC leader remains suspended from the party with a pending disciplinary hearing expected to be held after the May 29 polls.
Meanwhile, the MK Party lists several pillars as part of its manifesto.
The first pillar calls on society to “reclaim our dignity” and adds that under the MK Party all indigenous languages will be implemented at schools and will be used in legal proceedings and at all government institutions. It also states that African history will be implemented as a school subject and that all freedom fighters will be repatriated and buried in their homelands.
Motorists have also be advised to use alternative routes when heading past Orlando Stadium as traffic around the venue is building up.
Elections 2024 | MK party ready for manifesto launch: Musa Mkhize
