Amakhosi from four provinces cut ties with MK Party, citing disrespect and political betrayal. What does this mean for Zuma and 2026 elections?
Royal Revolt: Amakhosi Cut Zuma’s MK Party Off Amid Deep Political Disrespect
In a dramatic and unexpected move, several royal houses from across South Africa have officially cut all political ties with former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party. This sweeping rejection comes after what the monarchs describe as years of being disrespected, sidelined, and politically manipulated. The final straw? A chaotic and humiliating visit to Zuma’s Nkandla homestead — where they were reportedly stood up after being invited to a meeting that never happened.
It’s more than a political story. It’s about tradition versus populism, respect versus ambition, and how Zuma’s efforts to build a grassroots political force may now be unraveling, brick by brick — or in this case, crown by crown.
The Transvaal Kingdom State of the Monarchs — representing Amakhosi from Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and North West — released a firm media statement dated 5 August declaring that, as of 3 August 2025, they no longer recognize, support, or align themselves with the MK party or its leadership. According to the statement, the royal families have endured enough disrespect, and their dignity would no longer be compromised in the name of politics.
Among the signatories were King Ndzundza II of the Ndzundza kaMusi Kingdom, King Lekhuleni of the Mohwaduba Royal Kingdom, Queen Sheba, King Manana, King Ntsele, and representatives of the AmaNguni Royal Kingdom. Their voices together carry significant cultural and political weight in South African society — especially in rural provinces where traditional authority still influences daily governance.
“The history of disrespect towards Amakhosi within the MK party is well-documented,” the statement read. Their decision comes after months of internal frustration that culminated in the now-infamous Nkandla visit on 3 August.
The monarchs say they were personally invited by the MK party’s Royal Council for a meeting with Zuma at his Nkandla home. Days before, conflicting media statements and confusing internal notices gave them cause for concern — yet they proceeded out of respect and protocol. Upon arrival, they were informed by SAPS officials that Zuma would not be attending and that the meeting had effectively been cancelled.
There was no explanation. No apology. Just silence. That moment, they said, confirmed what they had long suspected — that their presence was no longer valued, only exploited.
“This treatment makes it abundantly clear that continued association with the MK party would result in the erosion of our dignity and the diminishment of the thrones of our forefathers,” the statement continued. For them, it was more than just poor planning. It was a betrayal of royal honor and protocol.
To add further context, the royal leaders referenced earlier incidents — including exclusion from key MK events such as the People’s Mandate launch at Orlando Stadium and the anniversary celebration at Moses Mabhida Stadium. In both cases, Amakhosi were either not invited or were treated as ordinary attendees rather than respected traditional leaders.
The implications of this rift are serious. The MK party, which has increasingly positioned itself as a revolutionary alternative to the ANC, has been seeking to galvanize rural support — a base deeply rooted in traditional authority. Losing the endorsement of these influential monarchs weakens MK's hold in areas it was once counting on.
Political analyst Sipho Mkhize from the University of KwaZulu-Natal explains: “In South Africa, traditional leaders are not merely ceremonial. They influence votes, shape community thinking, and preserve cultural continuity. If they withdraw their support, it’s not just symbolic — it’s electoral suicide.”
Others argue that Zuma miscalculated. His deep ties to traditional leadership during his presidency — particularly in KwaZulu-Natal — may have given him a false sense of enduring loyalty. But the new generation of royal leaders, many of whom are more educated, media-savvy, and politically alert, are no longer willing to play second fiddle.
“Zuma thought his Zulu credentials were enough,” says Mbuyiseni Sello, a commentator on rural governance. “But what we’re seeing is that respect must be earned continuously. You can’t ignore protocol and expect loyalty in return.”
The fallout may already be having ripple effects. Some insiders say there are rumblings of other traditional leaders from KZN quietly reconsidering their allegiances. A source close to the MK party said the leadership was “blindsided” by the statement but admitted that the breakdown in communication leading up to the Nkandla incident “should have been handled better.”
The monarchs, for their part, are not done. They’ve called for a public media briefing to be held on 1 September 2025 in Mpumalanga. There, they are expected to announce their next steps — which may include backing new political vehicles or advocating for an independent traditionalist platform in the 2026 local government elections.
“This is a lesson for all political parties,” said iNkosi Mbhengi II in a supplementary statement. “If you seek our support, treat us as equals — not pawns.”
The royal decision has also stirred debate among ordinary citizens. Some feel the Amakhosi are right to reclaim their dignity, while others question the wisdom of engaging in party politics at all. Regardless, the split with MK has exposed deep fissures in how political figures view traditional leaders — and how easily alliances can crumble when egos overshadow etiquette.
Many rural communities in South Africa still rely heavily on traditional leadership for land administration, local justice, and cultural continuity. The perception that those leaders are being disrespected by political players could significantly impact voter turnout and political credibility in these areas.
MK’s rural strategy has been central to its growth. Having emerged from the shadow of ANC internal politics, the party was building an image as a grassroots force capable of connecting with ordinary people through culture, nationalism, and anti-establishment messaging. Losing the royal vote doesn’t just damage that narrative — it rewrites it.
Insiders within MK have reportedly urged Zuma to initiate damage control, possibly by sending envoys to each royal household to apologize and rebuild trust. But analysts believe it might be too late. “You can’t apologize after the fact and expect things to go back to normal,” said Dr. Thuli Nhlapo, a political sociologist. “Respect in traditional circles is cumulative. Once broken, it’s hard to restore.”
This political crisis may now evolve into a cultural reckoning. Amakhosi are now asking deeper questions about their role in South Africa’s democratic framework. Should they support political parties? Or should they remain above party politics to better protect their authority?
Some are calling for legislation that better defines the boundaries of traditional leaders’ participation in partisan politics — something that has remained ambiguous since 1994. With elections looming, those questions are not just theoretical. They are urgent.
“We are not saying traditional leaders should never engage politically,” said Queen Sheba. “But our involvement must be on our terms. When politicians fail to show respect, they should not expect our support.”
The cultural dimension of this fallout cannot be overstated. In many communities, Amakhosi are seen as direct descendants of ancestral power — people who cannot be disrespected without spiritual consequence. The political disrespect, therefore, carries moral and emotional weight far beyond the ballot box.
With the 2026 elections approaching, the royal split is already being studied as a case study in political mismanagement. Other parties — especially the ANC and EFF — are now said to be quietly courting the same royal houses in hopes of picking up where MK lost ground.
For Zuma, the timing couldn’t be worse. Already facing questions about the internal organization of the MK party, this blow from the traditional sector adds to the perception that his support base is fragmenting. Whether he can regroup before 2026 is unclear — but if the royals have their way, it may be too little, too late.
What do you think about the royal split from MK? Should traditional leaders involve themselves in party politics, or remain above it all to maintain cultural authority?
Pinned Poll:
Do you think Jacob Zuma’s MK Party can survive without the support of traditional leaders in rural provinces?
A) Yes — they'll bounce back
B) No — they’ve lost too much
C) Not sure
Read also: (Internal link: Read also... Why MK’s support is slipping in key provinces)
Tags: Jacob Zuma, MK Party, Amakhosi, Traditional Leaders, 2026 Elections, South African Politics, Rural Power, Political Respect, Nkandla, Transvaal Monarchs
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