Tony Yengeni Signals MK Party Readiness to Form New KwaZulu-Natal Coalition Amid ANC Silence

MK Party's Tony Yengeni discusses the push for a new KZN coalition with the EFF and NFP. Learn why the ANC’s silence is stalling provincial governance.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from IOL

A Strategy for Legislative Dominance in KwaZulu-Natal

The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) is intensifying its efforts to reclaim leadership in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), asserting its right to govern based on its majority status from the 2024 elections. Deputy President Tony Yengeni, in a recent interview with the SABC, stated that the party is working "creatively" to assemble a coalition that reflects the aspirations of the province's voters. Currently, the MK Party holds 37 seats in the 80-seat legislature, making it the largest single entity but requiring additional partners to reach the 41-seat threshold needed for a stable majority.

The ANC’s "Dead Silence" and the DA-GNU Factor

Yengeni revealed that the MK Party formally reached out to the African National Congress (ANC) via a letter to initiate coalition discussions, yet they have received no acknowledgement. He characterized this lack of communication as "dead silence," suggesting that the ANC leadership may be more comfortable maintaining its ties with the Democratic Alliance (DA) through the Government of National Unity (GNU). Yengeni dismissed claims that the MK Party set unrealistic preconditions, such as the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, before talks could begin, blaming the ANC's reluctance on a "narrative" designed to justify their current alignment.

Building a "Bloc of Three" with the EFF and NFP

The MK Party’s core coalition strategy currently rests on an existing agreement with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the National Freedom Party (NFP). This "bloc of three" was solidified following a failed vote of no confidence against current KZN Premier Thami Ntuli in late 2025. While the NFP’s single seat has previously been a "kingmaker" vote, internal divisions within that party have led to conflicting stances on whether to support the current Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) or join the MK Party's proposed alternative.