FREE STATE – The African National Congress is not giving up in its fight to prevent Jacob Zuma’s political party from using the uMkhonto weSizwe name and logo. uMkhonto weSizwe is the name of the party’s former military wing, but also Zuma’s MK Party. The ANC sought to have the party stop using the name and logo in April 2024, but the Durban High Court in KwaZulu-Natal ruled in favour of Zuma’s political movement.

ANC approaches Supreme Court of Appeal Following the High Court’s decision to rule in favour of the MK Party, the ANC has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). The party filed papers in the Supreme Court after the High Court granted it leave to appeal the judgement. The ANC seeks to halt Zuma’s movement from using the name and logo, arguing that a new party with no history is not entitled to the proprietorship of names, symbols and history associated with the ANC. The SCA has yet to announce a date for the trial to be heard.

What is uMkhonto weSizwe? uMkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) was the paramilitary wing of the ANC which was founded by Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the party on 16 December 1961. Its main purpose was to take up arms and fight against the Apartheid government. The group was classified as a terrorist organisation by the then government and subsequently banned. The paramilitary wing continued its fight until it was formally disbanded in December 1993, after negotiations to end Apartheid were concluded. The rise of Zuma’s party Zuma’s MK Party was founded on 16 December 2023, named after the former paramilitary wing of the ANC. Zuma was still a member of the ANC at the time of its founding but stated that he would not vote or campaign for the party of current president Cyril Ramaphosa.

He was later expelled from the ANC for his decision to form the organisation. South Africans weigh in on ANC’s appeal Social media users' responses to the party's appeal varied, with citizens expressing divergent perspectives. Luzuko Gwama stated that: "You can disband your home, but no one can take that land or build on it without talking to you first." Siyanda Madlala stated: “Keep trying, but MKP will remain standing.” Sandiso Yisaki added: “The name uMkhonto weSizwe belongs to the ANC. Zuma must learn from the EFF and come up with a new name. Leave the ANC alone.” Lebone Mogotsi said: “Our political parties should be more focused on helping the people of South Africa than on arguing about names and logos. The ANC and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party need to put the needs of the people first.

They must collaborate to address issues like crime, unemployment, and corruption, which are causing more harm to South Africa than disagreements over symbols. Stonga made fun of Loyiso Bond: “ANC disbanded the youth, Malema took it to the EFF. ANC disbanded uMkhonto weSizwe, Zuma took it to form MKP.” Bongani Radebe said: “Waste of money and judicial system. This party is going to die with its owner. It won't last six months after he passed on.” According to Bheshulemfene Mthembu: “They will drag the case till Jesus comes back.�