Former President Jacob Zuma invokes Mandela at rally in ANC heartland ahead of South Africa elections

Former South African president Jacob Zuma is making waves in the lead-up to the upcoming election, as he rallies his supporters in Soweto, the heartland of his former party, the African National Congress (ANC). Despite being hours late to the 37,000 seat stadium, Zuma captivates the crowd with his singing and message of change.

With the emblem of his new party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), towering above him, Zuma invokes the spirit of the struggle against Apartheid, a cause he once fought for as part of the ANC’s paramilitary wing. However, he has since defected from the party, citing a loss of direction and broken leadership.

Thousands of Zuma’s die-hard supporters from his home province of KwaZulu-Natal have gathered at the Orlando Stadium, expressing their frustrations with the ANC’s governance. Issues such as unemployment, power cuts, and corruption have eroded the ANC’s once unshakeable grip on power.

While Zuma’s new party may not win the election, his presence threatens to split the ANC’s votes, particularly in key provinces like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. TK Pooe, a public policy specialist, notes that the ANC could lose government power in these provinces, potentially needing Zuma’s party to survive.

At 82 years old, Zuma’s political maneuvers are seen as a bid for survival amidst legal challenges. As the country gears up for a pivotal election, Zuma’s actions are poised to have a significant impact on the political landscape of South Africa.