MKP awaits Zuma and Nomvalo decision on Zandile Gumede’s eThekwini mayoral candidacy

According to IOL, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in KwaZulu‑Natal is waiting for party leader Jacob Zuma and Secretary‑General Sibonelo Nomvalo to set guidelines that will determine whether Zandile Gumede will stand as the MKP’s mayoral candidate for the eThekwini Municipality.

Party waiting on central guidance

According to IOL, MKP provincial convener Willies Mchunu said the party is “waiting for Zuma and Nomvalo to give us guidelines on how the mayoral candidates will be chosen. Once we receive that, we will be able to inform the public,” noting that the final decision rests with the party leadership.

Gumede’s recent role in the MKP

According to IOL, Zandile Gumede was formally introduced as a new MKP member at a media briefing in Durban last week and was immediately appointed as deputy to Mchunu.

Background and speculation

According to IOL, Mchunu said Gumede had been primed to join the MKP since last year but the party delayed any announcement while it worked out a position for her. He told the party that Gumede had explained last year that she “felt redundant” and that her political activism had “gathered dust” since 2019 after being subjected to the ANC’s ‘step aside’ policy.

According to IOL, after her appointment as the party’s provincial deputy convener, speculation began that she could return to eThekwini as mayor if the MKP wins the metro in the November elections.