{
  "id": 19818018,
  "title": "OPINION: Will the MKP survive ANC, DA and IFP troika in Ethekwini?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/opinion-will-the-mkp-survive-anc-da-and-ifp-troika-in-ethekwini",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T14:08:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/opinion-will-the-mkp-survive-anc-da-and-ifp-troika-in-ethekwini/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The MKP, also known as the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party, participated in the first local government elections in 2026. As the largest party in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), they gained 86 seats, representing 38% of the council, in the Ethekwini municipality. However, despite this strong performance, the MKP was unable to join the provincial government, which was formed by a coalition of the IFP, DA, ANC, and NFP parties, with Thami Ntuli as Premier.\n\nSeveral factors contributed to the MKP's failure to join the provincial government, including a poor strategy in coalition negotiations. The MKP's preoccupation with removing President Cyril Ramaphosa as a condition for co-governing with the ANC and other parties hindered their ability to secure a position in the provincial government. Currently, the MKP remains the leading political party in Ethekwini with a significant presence, but the provincial alliance of ANC, DA, and IFP holds a numerical advantage, requiring only three additional votes to outpace the MKP. The MKP's ally, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), lost 4 out of the 24 seats they gained during the 2021 local government elections, making them the 6th largest party in Ethekwini.\n\nTo navigate this political landscape, the MKP can either seek alliances with stronger parties like the ANC and IFP, potentially alienating the DA, or form partnerships with the EFF and other smaller parties. However, a fragmented coalition could lead to political instability, as smaller parties account for limited seats in the council. The MKP's relationship with the ANC, IFP, and DA since 2024 has been marked by hostility and criticism, leading to a failed motion of no confidence against the Premier in December 2025. Poor coordination and a lack of a well-defined political strategy to form coalitions were key factors that prevented the MKP from joining the KZN government despite being the largest party in the legislature.\n\nLooking ahead to the 2026 local government elections, the MKP has appointed a negotiating team comprising senior leaders, including Adv Dali Mpofu, Tony Yengeni, Duduzane Zuma, and Dr Thanti Mthanti. Their approach has evolved since the 2024 negotiation phase, moving away from demanding unwarranted conditions for coalition formation. The MKP's understanding of the local political environment and the significance of shared objectives in coalition governments will be crucial in determining their success in the upcoming elections and their potential inclusion in the governing coalition in Ethekwini.",
  "summary": "Currently, the MKP is the leading political party in Ethekwini with 86 seats which translate to 38%.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}