How Zuma Is Coming For The ANC

For decades, Jacob Zuma was one of the most powerful figures inside the African National Congress. He served as South Africa's president, built deep political networks inside the ANC, and became one of the most influential figures in KwaZulu-Natal. Then everything changed. After his fall from power and increasingly bitter relationship with the ANC, Zuma returned to frontline politics through a new political vehicle: the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MK Party. And almost immediately, South African politics changed. In the 2024 national election, MK won more than 2.3 million votes nationally. In KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's political stronghold, the party won about 45% of the provincial vote and 37 of the province's 80 legislature seats. The ANC, which had governed the province for decades, fell to just 17%. Now the real test is approaching. South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled for 4 November 2026, meaning Zuma and the MK Party have a chance to turn their national breakthrough into power at municipal level. But can Zuma actually do it? And could the MK Party become the political force that finally pushes the ANC into a much deeper decline? In this documentary, we investigate how Jacob Zuma built his political empire, how his relationship with the ANC eventually collapsed, how he transformed his personal political following into a new party, and why the 2026 local elections could become the biggest test of MK's political future. The 2024 election showed how powerful Zuma's political comeback could be. But it also showed that MK could not automatically convert its support into governing power. Despite MK's huge performance in KwaZulu-Natal, an ANC, IFP, DA and NFP coalition backed IFP leader Thami Ntuli as premier, defeating the MK candidate 41 votes to 39. Now Zuma has another opportunity. The question is no longer whether Zuma can return to South African politics. He already has. The question is how far he can take the political empire he has built. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into South African politics, economics, business, and the forces shaping the country's future. 👍 Like this video if you found it informative. 💬 Comment below: Do you think Jacob Zuma and the MK Party can seriously damage the ANC in the 2026 local elections? SOURCES Electoral Commission of South Africa — 2024 Election Results Official election results and voting data used to examine MK's breakthrough and the ANC's decline. Electoral Commission of South Africa — 2026 Local Government Elections Official information on the 2026 municipal elections and election preparations. The election is scheduled for 4 November 2026. Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs — 2026 Elections Official confirmation that the 2026 Local Government Elections were gazetted for 4 November 2026. Reuters — Zuma's MK Party & KwaZulu-Natal Reporting on MK's breakthrough in KwaZulu-Natal and the subsequent election of IFP leader Thami Ntuli as premier. MK Party — Official Statements Statements from the MK Party concerning its organisational structure, political strategy and preparations for the 2026 local elections. SAnews — 2026 Local Government Elections Government reporting on the election date, IEC preparations and the political environment surrounding the municipal elections. Parliament of South Africa — 2026 Local Government Elections Information concerning preparations for the elections and the resources allocated to the IEC. HASHTAGS #JacobZuma #Zuma #MKParty #MKP #ANC #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPolitics #ANC2026 #SouthAfrica2026 #LocalElections #LocalGovernmentElections #Zuma2026 #MKParty2026 #KwaZuluNatal #KZN #AfricanNationalCongress #Politics #SouthAfricaNews #SouthAfricanPolitics #CyrilRamaphosa #FikileMbalula #Documentary #PoliticalDocumentary HERE'S WHAT'S IN THE VIDEO Jacob Zuma's political rise How Zuma became one of the ANC's most powerful figures Zuma's relationship with the ANC The political events that pushed Zuma away from the ANC How Jacob Zuma returned to frontline politics The creation of the MK Party How Zuma built the MK political machine Why MK exploded in the 2024 election How MK took KwaZulu-Natal from the ANC The ANC's collapse in KwaZulu-Natal Why Zuma still has enormous political influence The battle for former ANC voters The rise of MK outside KwaZulu-Natal Why the 2026 local elections matter Zuma's strategy for the 2026 elections The fight for South Africa's municipalities MK vs ANC vs IFP Can MK convert popularity into local government power? The limits of Zuma's political empire Could Zuma permanently damage the ANC? What happens if MK wins major municipalities? The future of Jacob Zuma's political movement Core video question: Did Jacob Zuma build a political empire powerful enough to seriously challenge the ANC, or is MK's success dependent on Zuma himself?