MK party supporters gather in large numbers at the site where former president Jacob Zuma is expected to cast his vote in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. (Alfonso Nkunjana/News24)
- Former ANC speaker Jacob Zuma will cast his vote at a polling station at Ntlwane Primary School, which is overlooked by his Kwadakwadunuse estate.
- The competitive atmosphere between Mkhonto weSizwe Party, the IFP and the ANC was quite palpable from the early hours of the morning.
- Everything you need to know about the 2024 general election on News24 Election Hub.
Former president Jacob Zuma smiled and waved to the crowds before leaving in a motorcade after casting his vote at Ntlwane Primary School in Nkandla.
There was a mob surrounding him and security had to push people aside to allow him to enter the motorcade.
Inside the polling station, President Zuma, in true his style, greeted IEC officials and joked with journalists before casting his vote.
From the early hours of the morning it was clear that Nkandla was a battleground between the IFP, MK Party and the ANC.
There was not a single EFF poster on the road from the CBD to kwaNxamalala.
Instead, streetlights, utility poles and overhead power lines were plastered with posters for the IFP, ANC and MK parties.
The IFP poster featuring the face of the late Mangosuthu Buthelezi was more prominent, while the ANC and MK party posters featured the faces of Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Jacob Zuma respectively.
Notably, while Zuma and Buthelezi's posters were largely intact, Ramaphosa's posters were vandalised, indicating a lack of support in the IFP stronghold where Zuma has made his mark.
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As temperatures rose to 25 degrees Celsius, growing numbers of IFP, MK and ANC supporters began to stream into the polling station at Nthlwane Primary School where Zuma cast his vote.
Zuma appeared briefly and was warmly greeted by cheering crowds at a polling station, where he joked with South African Electoral Commission officials and journalists.
Meanwhile, the competition was also highlighted by the number of billboards put up by the three political parties both in the CBD and outside polling stations.
Two drunk men, one from the ANC and one from the IFP, were joking around outside a Shoprite in the CBD, with the ANC supporter saying: “The reason you're drunk now is because of Ramaphosa's R350”.
Thanda Mbabo, an ANC supporter from the ANC Mxolozi branch, sang and danced to try to convince voters of the party. (Soiso Maliti/News24)
Vekani Ndlovu, a long-time IFP supporter, says the party has developed amenities and infrastructure in Nkandla. (Soiso Maliti/News24)
He was referring to the R350 Social Distress Relief Grant.
A man supporting the IFP responded by muttering something about Buthelezi's achievements.
Their comments were echoed by IFP supporter Bekani Ndlovu, 43, and ANC supporter Thanda Mbabo, who sang songs and walked around the polling station before casting their vote.
Ndlovu, who lives in Nzamarala, told News24: “I'll say it clearly, I'm voting for the IFP, I have nothing to lose. The party has built a building here where we can get our documents authenticated. We don't have to travel to town to get our documents authenticated when we look for work or employment.”
He added: “Thanks to Buthelezi we have small farms where we grow vegetables, so thanks to this party we are independent. I am here to vote to change the situation in this country by showing what the IFP can do.”
Meanwhile, Mbambo argued:
The ANC has freed us from hiding in the bush under apartheid. We now have services, shopping malls and other things where previously there were special facilities only available to whites.
The R350 social transfer payment is something everyone is talking about, especially in this part of the world.
“The R350 grant was introduced by the party and we will do everything in our power to not only create jobs but also to ensure that the R350 grant is not abolished,” Mbambo said.
Meanwhile, the MK party's financial muscle arrived at Nkandla in a Toyota Fortuner.
MK Business Movement (MKBM) deputy chairperson Sabelo Ndlovu told News24 that donors will “leave no stone unturned” to ensure the party “shine” across the country.
Supporters of the IFP, MK Party and ANC began storming the polling station at Ntlwane Primary School where Zuma was casting his vote. (Alfonso Nkunjana/News24)
They have been doing just that. Last month, Zuma was delighted when MKBM donated a campaign truck and a Quantum taxi to the party.
The Quantum will be staffed by security guards who will escort the truck as it crisscrosses several states.
Ndlovu said the MK party “exists to unite all Africans” and recognise all graduates and traditional leaders – a message Zuma has repeated during his election campaign.
Former president Jacob Zuma's nephew and Nshamalala district chief, Bhekumzi Zuma, has followed his uncle into joining the MK party. (Soyiso Maliti/News24)
He said that since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa had benefited the few, but his party would put an end to that.
MKBM treasurer Khayelihle Madlala added:
We are proud of Jacob Zuma and hope that businesses will support him and take the party forward.
He said the party would win KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and other provinces.
MK party donors and “core” members of the party are waiting outside the Ntlomane polling station where Zuma will cast his vote.
Ndlovu, who cast his special vote yesterday, told News24 he was there to drop off Zuma's daughter, Duduzile, who is also an NEC member.
“Today is a day of change for South Africa. We have worked hard over the past six months for all South Africans and if we all vote for MK today we will see the results,” Omar Pietersen, a leading member of the MK party, said.
*This article has been updated to include that former president Jacob Zuma voted.
