Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede joined the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party as deputy provincial convener for KwaZulu-Natal on Monday [1].
The move signals a potential shift in political power within the eThekwini municipality as the battle for local governance intensifies. Gumede's transition to the MK Party comes at a critical juncture for the region's political landscape.
Gumede previously served as the mayor of eThekwini from 2016 to 2019 [1]. Her appointment to the MK Party leadership follows a period of political volatility in the province, where the MK Party has sought to challenge the dominance of the African National Congress (ANC).
Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary General of the ANC, said the party is not at war with Gumede following her departure [2]. Mbalula said the move was not unexpected for the organization [2].
The ANC is currently focusing its resources on contesting the eThekwini municipality, and finalizing its list of candidates [2]. These efforts are part of a broader strategy as the party prepares for the 2026 local government elections [2].
The MK Party's recruitment of a former mayor suggests an effort to attract established political figures with deep roots in local administration. By securing a leader with Gumede's experience, the party aims to strengthen its infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the upcoming polls.
“Zandile Gumede joined the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party as deputy provincial convener for KwaZulu-Natal.”
The transition of Zandile Gumede from the ANC sphere to the MK Party highlights the ongoing fragmentation of political loyalty in KwaZulu-Natal. As the 2026 local government elections approach, the MK Party is aggressively recruiting 'big fish'—experienced administrators and former officials—to challenge the ANC's hold on the eThekwini municipality. This move suggests that the MK Party is shifting from a grassroots protest movement to a structured political entity capable of governing major urban centers.
