The African National Congress (ANC), in power in South Africa, has demanded in court on Wednesday that the political party supported by former President Jacob Zuma change its name and logo, alleging “intellectual property and heritage theft.” This marks a new episode in the confrontation between the former head of state, forced to resign in 2018, and his former party, just two months ahead of South Africa’s general elections.
In South Africa, the name of a political party is at the center of a legal battle. It concerns a small, newly formed party – Umkhonto We Sizwe, also known as MK – backed by the country’s former president, Jacob Zuma (2009-2018).
The African National Congress (ANC) – the ruling party since the end of apartheid – filed a lawsuit on March 27, 2024, to prohibit the use of this name, alleging “intellectual property and heritage theft.”
“Umkhonto We Sizwe” translates to “spear of the nation” in Zulu. It was primarily the name of the armed wing of the ANC during apartheid, responsible for sabotage operations and urban guerrilla warfare. Most notably, it was a branch led by Nelson Mandela, the country’s first black president. A symbol of armed resistance against apartheid, MK thus represents the armed struggle against apartheid.
The ANC filed an urgent application to prevent this small party from using the name, arguing that it constitutes illegal use of the ANC’s brand, symbol, and heritage. Moreover, the logo of the new party depicts a fighter with a spear and shield, almost identical to that of the former armed organization.
General Elections in May
Why this legal battle now? Because the country is holding general elections on May 29, 2024, the ANC is losing ground, and it fears that MK will attract disillusioned ANC supporters with its more aggressive rhetoric. But also because this new party could confuse by posing as a party linked to the ANC. Furthermore, MK is supported by former President Jacob Zuma.
Zuma has conflicted with the ANC since his removal from the country’s leadership in 2018 and from this political party, following multiple corruption scandals. Zuma remains highly popular in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, the second-largest province in terms of the number of voters. MK could therefore seriously weaken the ANC, with polls giving it up to 13% of the national vote. The ANC attempted to prevent MK from contesting the May 29 elections, but it lost this legal battle and is now seeking to compel it to change its name.