Gwede Mantashe Responds to MK Party’s Unexpected Gains in KZN

ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe expressed surprise at the MK Party’s performance in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) but remains confident that the ANC will secure over 50% of the national vote in the upcoming election.

Surprising Election Results in KZN

Mantashe was the first senior ANC leader to visit the IEC results center on Thursday. Initial results revealed a significant decline in ANC support in KZN, with notable MKP support emerging in Zulu-speaking areas of Mpumalanga, potentially undermining ANC’s foothold there. According to News24 elections analyst Dawie Scholtz, it’s clear there will be no outright winner in KZN.

MK Party’s Influence

Headed by former ANC president Jacob Zuma, the MK Party was initially underestimated by the ANC. The party believed MKP’s influence would be limited to areas north of the Tugela River. However, early results showed MKP victories in Durban, the South Coast, and Umsunduzi, areas where the ANC had expected to perform better.

Gwede Mantashe’s Confidence in ANC’s National Performance

Despite the surprising results in KZN, Mantashe remains optimistic. “MK is doing well in KZN; they have surprised me a little bit. But they are not going to do that in other provinces,” he said. He emphasized that the ANC expects to perform well in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, and the North West.

“We are on 42.5% now, and I’m still confident we will get over 50% because there are areas we mobilized that have not come in yet,” Mantashe added. He dismissed early projections and previous polls, stating, “The time for dreaming is over, and the real results are coming in.”

Avoiding Tribal Politics

When asked if Zulu nationalism had played a larger role than anticipated, Mantashe avoided the topic. “I was brought up in an education system that said tribalism is a backward form of politics. So don’t drag me there,” he responded.

Coalition Possibilities

Gwede Mantashe acknowledged that coalitions might be a consequence of the election results, but he maintained that such outcomes are not planned. “Coalitions are a consequence; you don’t plan for consequences,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As the ANC navigates these surprising results, Mantashe’s optimism highlights the party’s determination to secure a majority. The upcoming days will be crucial as final results come in and strategies are adjusted to address unexpected challenges.