Zuma heads to Gqeberha as MK party rolls out the red carpet for new members

A symbolic stop in the Eastern Cape

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is heading to Gqeberha this week, with former president Jacob Zuma set to personally welcome new members in a move that signals both growth and consolidation.

The party confirmed that Zuma will address supporters on Wednesday at the Raymond Mhlaba Sports Centre in Motherwell, inviting media and members alike to witness what it describes as an important moment for the organisation.

While the MK Party has drawn much of its strength from KwaZulu-Natal, the choice of Gqeberha is notable. The Eastern Cape has long been seen as ANC heartland territory, making Zuma’s appearance there a clear attempt to broaden the party’s national footprint.

New faces arrive as leadership shifts continue

The welcoming event comes shortly after a reshuffle within the MK Party’s senior ranks earlier this month. Two members were removed from key leadership positions as part of what the party described as a move to strengthen the organisation and advance its political mandate.

Former chair Colleen Makhubele was relieved of her duties and replaced in an interim role by Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, who also serves as the party’s whip in the National Council of Provinces. Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe was appointed treasurer-general, taking over from Mpiyakhe Limba.

These changes follow a period of high turnover that has characterised the MK Party since its dramatic breakthrough in the 2024 national elections.

A party shaped by turbulence and momentum

Internal instability has been a recurring theme. In mid-2025, former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu was expelled after the party concluded he had placed himself outside its ideological framework. Shivambu has since gone public with sharp criticism, at one point dismissing the party as a “family stokvel” a remark that gained traction on social media and fuelled debate about internal democracy within the movement.

Despite this, the MK Party’s electoral performance has been undeniable. A 2024 poll conducted for the Brenthurst Foundation placed the party as South Africa’s third-largest, with 15% national support, behind the ANC and the DA. In KwaZulu-Natal, it emerged as the biggest political force, securing 45% of the vote.

Mbeki’s comments add to the noise

Adding another layer to the conversation, former president Thabo Mbeki recently reignited debate around the MK Party’s rise. He claimed that elements of the apartheid-era National Security Management System had been “activated” to influence the party’s success in the 2024 elections, allegedly to the detriment of the ANC.

Mbeki questioned how such a sudden shift in voter support occurred, particularly in KZN, and suggested that old security networks may never have been fully dismantled.

More than just a meet-and-greet

Against this backdrop, Zuma’s appearance in Gqeberha is more than a routine membership drive. It is a show of confidence, an assertion of relevance beyond KZN, and a reminder that the MK Party despite its internal challenges, remains a disruptive force in South African politics.

Whether the event marks the beginning of deeper roots in the Eastern Cape or simply reinforces Zuma’s personality-driven appeal, all eyes will be on Motherwell this week.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com