Media address by the President of uMkhonto weSizwe Party Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma on the occasion of the announcement of the leadership collective of the party in various provinces to be held at the Capital at the Park, Sandton, Gauteng

25 October 2024

The National High Command of uMkhonto weSizwe Party has observed massive growth of uMkhonto weSizwe Party in recent Months. This growth can be attributed to various Political Factors amongst others being the disillusioned Patriotic South Africans who are at driven by their desire to Protect what is left of our hard gained Freedom which is being auctioned by the unholy alliance of the Master and the servant as is the case with the unstable makeshift political conundrum presented in a form of the Government of National Unity.

Most South Africans are still reeling from the trauma caused to them by the Brutal Apartheid System engineered by those who are currently in alliance with the ruling Party with the "GNU". As a results of this political dynamic, uMkhonto weSizwe Party remains the only Revolutionary Political Party capable of resolving the Challenges of Unemployment, Poverty, Inequality and Landlessness in our Country.

We are the Only Party which is Consistently on the side of the People. This is because uMkhonto weSizwe Party is alive and awake to the Political reality of who Constitute as our Primary Motive force as we strive for the Total Liberation of the Black Majority from the Brutal System of the White Capitalist Establishment whose sole existence is to keep the Majority of our people away from the control of the Economy, our Stolen Minerals, and our dispossessed Land. Only uMkhonto weSizwe Party is capable of Fighting and Winning this battle that lies ahead.

The recently unanimously adopted Constitution of uMkhonto weSizwe Party confers certain Political responsibilities on the Hands of the Leadership Collective of the Party in Particular the President. The Party has recently finalized the audit of its Political Personnel following the deployment of most it the Leaders to various Provincial Legislatures as well as the National Assembly.

As part of our efforts to strengthen the party and simultaneously ensure accountability by those deployed by the Party in various positions, the National Officials met to discuss the available vacancies obtaining in various Provinces. The main aim is to Strengthen our Provincial Detachment and adequately resource them so as to effectively deal with the challenges facing our people in various provinces.

The recently concluded meeting of the National Officials deliberated on the Kind of a Cadre required to lead this new phase of our Revolution in various Provinces.

The Party requires leaders who possess special qualities as clearly explained in the Constitution of the Party, "Our Commitment extends to all South Africans, advocating for policies that ensure the equitable distribution of resources, enhance public services, and uphold the rights and dignity of every citizen". This task can only be performed by a special Character required to lead the Party.

It is a Testament to our resolve to not only remember the past but to actively shape a future that aligns with the highest aspirations of those who have paved the way for freedom and democracy. Through these Leaders, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party reaffirms its role as a custodian of the people's hopes and a proactive agent in the pursuit of equality and justice for every South African.

Today we are announcing the appointment of the Provincial Convenors of the Provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga. For the MKP, the Province of KwaZulu Natal is very important and strategic because our organisation is the largest political party in KwaZulu Natal after the 2024 General Elections. KwaZulu Natal is important to the MKP because we will in the foreseeable future constitute government in the province as the largest and most supported political party in the province.

We take this opportunity to announce that Comrade Willies Mchunu will be the Provincial Convenor of uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the province of KwaZulu Natal.

Cde Willies Mchunu is a struggle veteran, and seasoned cadre who has served in different responsibilities in the former liberation movement. He was a Member of the KZN Legislature from 1994 to 2019 and was Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the Legislature. Cde Willies Mchunu is the former Premier of the Province of KwaZulu Natal, and currently the deputy Chairperson of the province's Planning Commission.

Cde Willies Mchunu has the necessary political, ideological, and organisational capacity to steer the MK Party into a stable, responsible, and responsive movement in the Province. Cde Willies Mchunu will play a central and strategic role in the identification of leaders who will be appointed to lead the KZN at provincial and regional levels. We command that all structures of the MK Party in the Province must subject themselves to the leadership of Cde Willies Mchunu who will in the immediate be working with the deployees of the National High Command in the Province. The appointment of Cde Willies Mchunu as the Convenor means that all the leadership structures that existed in the Province cease to exist and all comrades who led the Province are no longer leadership of the Province.

Cde Willies Mchunu will play a leading role in reversing the devastating effects of the right-wing government of the DA and Inkatha Freedom Party. KwaZulu Natal deserves a progressive government of forces that are not associated with apartheid. We can assure the people of KwaZulu Natal that we will in the foreseeable future constitute a responsible government.

We also take this opportunity to announce that Cde Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane will be the Convenor of uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the Province of Mpumalanga.

Advocate Mkhwebane is a seasoned public servant and true fighter for justice and equal rights. She is the former Public Protector who was unlawfully removed from office for confronting the status quo and asking necessary and relevant questions to the siting head of State. Advocate Mkhwebane's consistency, composure and professionalism will guide the Province of Mpumalanga into absolute stability and progress. The MKP is the 2nd biggest political party in the Province of Mpumalanga and official opposition. The people of Mpumalanga deserve quality leadership and we believe that Advocate Mkhwebane will play a central and leading role in the province of Mpumalanga.

The National High Command will over the next few weeks be identifying the appointing leadership structures at provincial and regional levels. As we said before, we command that members of the MK Party must avoid and desist the demons of factionalism and gate keeping. The Leadership collective is not confused about its immediate and long-term objectives and work and will not do anything that seek to compromise the organisation. We have an obligation to understand and appreciate that we should reverse the GNU.

We as MKP stand opposed to the so-called Government of National Unity. We reiterate our statement that, "this neo-liberal coalition, spearheaded by the DA and sustained through alliances with apartheid-era beneficiaries, symbolises a betrayal of the working class and the people of South Africa. It is an affront to the principles of the National Democratic Revolution. These developments reinforce our shared conviction: it is time for all progressive forces to come together and resist the neo-liberal agenda aimed at deepening inequality, poverty, and the dismantling of public services crucial to our people's well-being".

The DA led coalition has perpetuated the indignity of South Africans by preserving a constitutional framework that serves the elite rather than the people. The Constitution, hailed as progressive, has in fact become an obstacle to land reform and the restoration of dignity. It protects the property rights of those who historically stole the land and ensures the continued marginalisation of the majority. Under MK, we would scrap this Constitutional supremacy in favour of one that prioritises the dignity and sovereignty of the people. We believe that only by returning to Parliamentary Sovereignty can we enact laws that truly reflect the will of the people and restore their dignity through land reform and the empowerment of traditional leadership.

The dysfunctionality of the so-called GNU is also illustrated by its confusing foreign policy messages and statements in the current phase of the global balance of forces.

The contradictory statements of the GNU allies in their approach to Russia and President Vladimir Putin are a cause for concern. It is utterly unacceptable and nauseating for the DA to distance the South African government or parts of it from an otherwise solid and sound historical and present relationship with Russia. South Africa has no enmity against President Vladimir Putin. He remains the good friend and ally of the global south and the African continent in particular. Russia constitutes the core company of the USSR, which provided solid political, ideological, diplomatic, and military support to the struggle against apartheid and colonialism.

The relationship between South Africa and Russia is built on solid foundation of anti-colonialism and pursuit for common prosperity. Since 2010, South Africa and Russia have been common members of BRICS, alongside the progressive nations Brazil, India, China and now other progressive nations and counties of the world. It is therefore unacceptable for the DA to send mixed signals to the global community about South Africa's cordial relationship with the Russian Federation. The unacceptable statements of the DA also reveal the irreconcilable principles amongst members of the so-called Government of National Unity. These irreconcilable differences and principles are not correct for the image, stability, and integrity of the country. The country’s integrity is damaged globally because the white comment of the so-called GNU is throwing mud at South Africa's allies in the global balance of forces.

The leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe will over the coming week be visiting all Provinces to present the Constitution and assess the presence of the organisation in each and every region and sub region. We will over the next few weeks be circulating the MKP Constitution in all South African languages. Members of the MKP are directed to workshop the Constitution and massive recruitment.

Issued by MKP, 28 October 2024