Former South African President, Jacob Zuma addressed the high levels of poverty among Black South Africans and pledged to create jobs and combat crime as he launched his new political party’s manifesto ahead of the May 29th elections.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, Zuma promised that his party would build factories to employ many South Africans and provide free education for the youth. He also vowed to amend the country’s Constitution to restore more powers to traditional leaders, criticizing the current system for reducing their influence in favor of magistrates and judges.
Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which was launched in December 2023, has quickly emerged as a significant player in South Africa’s upcoming elections. However, Zuma is currently engaged in a legal battle with the Independent Electoral Commission, appealing a court judgment that barred him from standing in the election due to his criminal record. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission investigating corruption allegations during his presidency from 2009 to 2018. Despite being forced to resign in 2018 amid widespread corruption allegations, he is now seeking to return to the presidency.
Zuma criticized the proliferation of political parties in South Africa, claiming they exacerbate the suffering of the people. He argued that poverty among Black South Africans is the root cause of the country’s high crime rates, as desperate people resort to crime to feed themselves. Zuma stated that his party aims to secure more than 65% of the national vote in the upcoming elections, which would enable them to implement significant constitutional changes.
Recent polls and analysts suggest that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) might receive less than 50% of the national vote, potentially requiring them to form a coalition with smaller parties to remain in power. South Africans will go to the polls on May 29.
