MK Party eyes strategic alliances ahead of 2026 local elections amid mounting political tensions in KZN
With its sights firmly set on reshaping the political landscape in KwaZulu-Natal, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has announced plans to forge alliances with the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and other smaller parties in preparation for the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking during a charged media briefing in Durban on Wednesday, MKP KZN Chairperson Willies Mchunu said the move is part of a broader strategy to unseat the current provincial leadership and build a united front of what he termed “non-collaborationist” forces.
“This partnership [with the ATM] is a catalyst for building even more partnerships,” Mchunu declared.“There are other parties out there. Separate from our formation and our direction as a party is uniting the people, particularly those who are non-collaborationists.”
Mchunu revealed that MKP is planning a protest march on Friday to “expose” the shortcomings of the current KZN government, hinting that it marks the beginning of the party’s broader campaign to reclaim power in the province.
“This march is about exposing to the people of KwaZulu-Natal what KwaZulu-Natal looks like with the current governance arrangement.
“We do not disassociate this march from the process towards taking over power. It is part of it,” he said.
The MK Party, founded amid fierce political contestation, surged into national prominence during the 2024 general elections.
But since then, it has faced serious challenges — internal leadership tensions, questions over its organisational structure, and accusations of populist rhetoric without a clear policy platform.
Some critics argue that despite its electoral impact, MKP has yet to fully transition from a protest movement into a coherent governing force. Still, Mchunu remained defiant.
He emphasised that MKP’s leadership, though operating with national oversight, is committed to mobilising grassroots support and entering into strategic negotiations ahead of both the 2026 local and 2029 national elections.
“We believe we will not take power without the support of the people, and the people will be central to us taking power,” he said.
“We can’t be bogged down on whether we will run KZN now or in 2026 or 2029. What’s important is preparing for elections and building support.”
As the political terrain in KZN grows increasingly volatile, the MK Party’s coalition-building ambitions and bold anti-establishment rhetoric could either redefine provincial power dynamics — or expose deeper fractures within the party’s own ranks.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL Politics