MK Party supporters hail Zuma as hero during former president's birthday celebrations

JOHANNESBURG – MK Party supporters have started to gather in Soweto for a special lecture in celebration of the party’s founder and leader Jacob Zuma.

Zuma turns 83 on Saturday.

The party is set to celebrate Zuma in a number of rallies across the country, including an event in KZN where the party snatched ANC voters to become the most supported party in the province during the 2024 general elections.

MK Party supporters dressed in green, black and yellow regalia are in high spirits for what they say is an important day in celebrating the milestones and political contributions made by Zuma.

It almost resembles the birthday celebrations Zuma hosted while still part of the ANC, except this time he’s behind what some have called enemy lines.

Despite a trail of controversy, Sindiswa Mthembu said that Zuma is deserving of the honour.

"Whatever he did, whatever happened, he’s been fighting throughout his life. Unfortunately, now again, we are losing the country. Being a hero, being a person who is focused on liberating his people, he started this party to bring back our land."

Fikile Masina is also among supporters at the Protea South multipurpose hall.

"I think it’s very much important so that our future generations see that uBaba was celebrated while he was still alive."

MK Party Secretary General Floyd Shivambu is expected to deliver the main address.