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 newly formed MK Party.

During his campaign trail in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa asserted that the historical legacy of the liberation movement’s armed wing belongs to the ANC, dismissing the legitimacy of the MK Party, which has gained significant traction in the province.

The real MK is in the ANC. It is the ANC that formed the MK, and it is the ANC that carries the true spirit and history of the struggle. Those who have taken the name are merely using it for their own political ends, but they do not represent the true heritage of our liberation movement.

The MK Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, has responded with outrage, accusing Ramaphosa of attempting to rewrite history and undermine the party’s growing support base. Spokespeople for the MK Party argued that the name was adopted to reflect the aspirations of those who feel the current ANC leadership has abandoned the core values of the liberation struggle.

Political analysts suggest that this rhetoric is part of a broader strategy by the ANC to reclaim lost ground in KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK Party has emerged as a formidable challenger ahead of the upcoming local government elections. However, critics warn that such comments could further polarize an already tense political environment in the province.