Former South African President Jacob Zuma and Ace Magashule, a former ANC secretary-general, have joined forces to announce a political alliance ahead of the 2024 elections. This move deals a blow to the embattled African National Congress (ANC), as both Zuma and Magashule have faced corruption allegations leading to their dismissal from their positions. The duo, who have recently formed separate parties, plan to unveil their joint political future soon.
The “Magashule Zuma United Front” aims to depart from traditional politics and adopt a more inclusive, people-centric approach, according to a statement from Magashule’s party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT). However, this alliance could further weaken support for the ANC, which is already struggling in the polls and risks seeing its share of the vote drop below 50 percent for the first time since the country’s democratic transition in 1994.
Hlengiwe Ndlovu, a lecturer at the Wits School of Governance in Johannesburg, suggests that the announcement could be detrimental to the ANC’s chances in the upcoming elections, given the limited time left for the party to rally support. However, Ndlovu also points out that voters in poor communities might not be significantly swayed by the corruption allegations against Zuma and Magashule.
Last month, Zuma caused another split within the ANC by stating that he would campaign and vote for the new Umkhonto We Sizwe party, named after the ANC’s old military wing. Zuma, who has expressed bitterness about his ousting from office, made it clear that campaigning for the ANC under his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, would be a betrayal.
Magashule, who was expelled from the ANC last year over corruption accusations, still maintains popularity among parts of the left-leaning electorate. He established the ACT in August, further highlighting the deep divisions within the ruling party. However, doubts remain as to whether this alliance will pose a serious threat to the ANC’s dominance.
The ANC, which has held power for three decades, has seen its reputation tarnished by corruption allegations and mismanagement. The weak economy, plagued by power cuts, high unemployment, and rampant crime, has further eroded the party’s standing. The formation of this alliance between Zuma and Magashule is seen as a crucial moment in shaping the political landscape of South Africa, potentially heralding a new era of collaboration and change, according to the ACT.
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