By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former ANC President and Umkhonto weSizwe leader Jacob Zuma addressed the his party supporters outside the Electoral Court in Bloemfotein, Free State.
Zuma was flanked by party founder Jabulani Khumalo and former minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs and finance minister, Des van Rooyen.
He was adamant that the party would win a two-thirds majority in the 29 May elections, replacing the ANC as the governing party.
“We are the legacy of our great-grandparents. When we take over the government we will bring it back to us and remove the evil ones from it. We will not give them anything. Do you understand? We will speak real politics after we’ve won the elections,” he told the crowd.
“Your presence here is important not only to us as MK but South Africans at large, because they know that their future is in the MK. At the moment, there are many political parties in existence, but how are they assisting us? What do they have to say about our lives?
“Even the ANC is mumbling [and unsure] and we don’t understand what it stands for… MK will change and fix the world, we will talk in detail when we finally take over because we will win the elections without a shadow of doubt,” he said.
Zuma also gave his supporters a brief background to the formation of uMkhonto Wesizwe, saying it does not necessarily belong to the ANC. He then explained that it was only fitting that they continue using the name because it represents what he stands for and his legacy.
Back in the day, uMkhonto was a military wing, but it is now a political party, that is us. We cannot be a part of things we do not know, but only a part of what is known to us. Because we want freedom in its entirety, and to be the ones in charge (or in leadership).
“We cannot be led by people who cannot lead. I am thankful for the existence of uMkhonto Wesizwe which came out in numbers [today] because we must always be there to protect it,” he said.
Zuma felt confident that the courts would rule in favour of the MK party.
“The case was deliberated and concluded today, the judges then said they would not take a decision today, but they would let us know when they would make a ruling on the matter. We will listen to what they will have to say but we are confident in our truth, especially because the history of uMkhonto Wesizwe is well known, it is no secret,” he said.
Judges heard arguments about the party’s registration and whether it and the Electoral Commission of South Africa had flouted processes in recognising it.
Judgment was reserved.
The ruling party has another case against the MK party. This matter, regarding the trademark of the name uMkhonto weSizwe, will be heard on 27 March in the Durban High Court.