In uMzumbe, located on KwaZulu-Natal’s southern coast, political dynamics are shifting significantly. The ANC, once dominant, is losing ground. In the 2021 local elections, the ANC secured 21 of 39 council seats, while the IFP came in second. However, in the run-up to the 2024 provincial elections, the ANC’s support has waned dramatically. uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) emerged as the most popular party, securing 40% of the votes in recent provincial polls, while the ANC obtained only 28%, a significant drop from its previous 70%.
By-elections on June 19, 2024, saw MK maintain its lead in several wards, although the IFP also made gains, surprisingly defeating the ANC in some districts. Ward-specific data shows the ANC losing substantial support in rural areas. Defections from the ANC to MK, spearheaded by disillusioned former councilors, further underscore the ANC’s declining influence. These shifts reveal a changing political landscape in uMzumbe, with both MK and the IFP benefiting from the ANC’s losses.
Original Source: Daily Maverick
Date: 2024-06-18 10:57:16
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