Despite numerous challenges, including legal battles, sabotage, and financial hardships, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in South African politics, spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela said.
In celebration of the first anniversary of the MK Party, Ndhlela reflected on the struggles and achievements of the party over the year.
“We’ve had many trials and tribulations in our journey, leading up to today. Court cases, the threat of how we were registered with our logo, the controversy of President Jacob Zuma appearing on the ballots, these were just some of the obstacles we faced,” said the Ndhlela.
“We also encountered sabotage, struggled to open bank accounts, and faced difficulties at every turn. But despite it all, without money and resources, here we are.”
The greatest achievement in the party’s short existence, Ndhleli emphasised, was securing a place as the official opposition in the National Assembly, a feat never before achieved by a party so young.
“In just six months, we became the official opposition, represented in seven of the nine legislative. This is something that has never been done in the history of the world,” Ndhlela proclaimed with pride.
“We are a party of the people, and we give hope to the people,” Ndhlela continued.
“The biggest biggest achievement, when I said, was to see South Africans who never had an hope, smiling, and be excited, that there is hope, something that was never there even with the [African National Congress] ANC of [President Cyril] Ramaphosa.”
The vision of the MK Party goes beyond politics, he said adding that it was rooted in the empowerment of the people, especially marginalised communities.
Ndhlela called for unity among all South Africans, with a special emphasis on the unity of black people.
“We are saying all South African unite, black people unite, we need to take back our country and were are going to continue to campaign till the day we take back our country, until the day we take back our jobs, until the day we take back our economy, until the day we bring back our land."
He said the Umkhonto weSizwe aims to harness South Africa’s resources to benefit its people.
“We going to campaign until the day we naturalize our minds and we can use our resources for our people, so we can you that money to leverage it, and ensure that our people and our children get free education. That's what we're going to do every single day," said Ndhlela.
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