By Doreen Mokgolo
Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) president Jacob Zuma hopes that the party will take over the leadership of the South African government by winning a two-thirds majority, to restore the dignity of black people.
“We are building a new South Africa and the only way to achieve our goal of restoring the dignity of black people is by winning the upcoming elections set for 29 May,” he said.
He was addressing thousands of supporters at the People’s Mandate launch at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, most of whom were bussed in from KwaZulu-Natal.
Zuma said uMkhonto Wesizwe is based on the ideals of the forefathers of the liberation ANC movement.
“The military-trained right wing of the ANC, uMkhonto Wesizwe, was formed to liberate the people of this country against the visitors who at the time were oppressing the people of this country.
“We took the spear to fight them until they were ready to negotiate, that’s how we won democracy.”
Zuma said once the party’s goals are achieved, the minority population that came as visitors and settlers will respect the black people of South Africa.
“We are governed by the Roman Laws even though we are not Roman; we will remove this and introduce African law.
“Those who receive foreign funding to the detriment of this country, we will remove them one by one,” he said.
Sharing the party’s plans for South Africa, Zuma said in the first year in government people will see that change has arrived.
“We will restore the dignity of chiefs who hold less power compared to ward councillors; we want to give them the power they deserve,” Zuma added.
The party also plans to fight teenage pregnancy, unemployment, poverty and crime.
He said the plan is that young people will undergo military training straight after matric to learn how to defend their country.
“We will take the land back to the chiefs and the money accumulated through the land will be used to pay fees for the training of young people in school and technical colleges where they will acquire skills to help start their own businesses,” he said.
To fight corruption Zuma said none of the party’s NEC members would be appointed as ministers.
The party plans to build factories to employ a lot of people and NEC members will be deployed there and paid the same salaries as ministers.
“We are working for the people in the true sense of the word,” he said.
Pictured above: Umkhonto Wesizwe leader Jacob Zuma addressing party supporters at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
