New kids on the block, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has made history. The fledgling party, which was established a mere six months ago, has surpassed a voting record set by the Congress of the People (COPE) in 2009.
COPE – a breakaway party from the African National Congress (ANC) – amassed 1.3 million votes then – the largest ever for a new political party in South Africa.
MK has now amassed 1,354 million votes – beating that record.
The Economic Freedom Fighters garnered more than a million votes in 2014 but did not surpass COPE’s figures at the time.
Currently, MK is enjoying an overwhelming lead in KwaZulu-Natal with more than 44 % of the votes. The ANC is a distant second with close to 19% of votes.
IFP, MK Party in KwaZulu-Natal react to provincial results so far