Ramaphosa takes a swipe at uMkhonto weSizwe Party, sparks backlash with claim that ‘real’ MK is in ANC

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sparked a heated political debate after claiming that the “real” uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) is within the African National Congress (ANC), a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from the MK Party and its supporters.

Speaking during his campaign trail in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa sought to assert the ANC’s historical legitimacy, suggesting that the true spirit and legacy of the liberation movement’s armed wing reside with the governing party, rather than the breakaway MK Party led by former president Jacob Zuma.

Polls are polls and we note polls and we continue with our work. We are campaigning for a victory. And we note polls. We read them. We put them aside and just focus on the work that we are doing.

The president’s comments come as the ANC faces a significant electoral challenge in the eThekwini metro, where recent polling indicates the MK Party has gained substantial ground. Ramaphosa, however, remained dismissive of these figures, insisting that the ANC’s focus remains on service delivery and reclaiming its dominance in the region.

The MK Party has reacted strongly to the assertion, accusing the president of attempting to co-opt their identity to salvage the ANC’s declining support in the province. Supporters of the MK Party argue that the current ANC leadership has abandoned the principles of the original liberation struggle, making Ramaphosa’s claim both inaccurate and provocative.

As the local government elections approach, the battle for the narrative of the “real” MK has become a central point of contention, highlighting the deep political divisions in KwaZulu-Natal and the intense competition between the two parties for the hearts and minds of voters.