From “The Spear” to the MK Party: Jacob Zuma’s Extraordinary Political Journey

More than a decade ago, former South African president Jacob Zuma found himself at the centre of one of the country’s most explosive political and artistic controversies. Today, the former president is once again commanding attention—but this time not from an art gallery, but from the centre of South Africa’s changing political landscape.

In 2012, while Zuma was president of South Africa and leader of the African National Congress (ANC), Cape Town-based artist Brett Murray created a provocative painting titled “The Spear.” The 1.85-metre-high acrylic-on-canvas work portrayed Zuma in a pose reminiscent of revolutionary imagery, with his genitals exposed. The painting formed part of Murray’s Hail to the Thief II exhibition at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg. (Brett Murray)

The artwork caused an enormous national controversy. The ANC condemned the painting, arguing that it was degrading, defamatory and an attack on Zuma’s dignity and the dignity of the presidency. The party threatened legal action against the gallery and demanded that the painting be removed. (Brett Murray)

Murray’s exhibition was not limited to the controversial portrait of Zuma. His other works took aim at the ANC and South Africa’s political establishment. One work placed “For Sale” over the ANC emblem before stamping it with “Sold.” Other satirical adaptations of struggle-era posters contained references to luxury cars, alcohol and political bribes, including the line about demanding “Chivas, BMWs and bribes.” (Brett Murray)

The controversy soon moved beyond the gallery. The painting was vandalised by protesters, while the dispute developed into a much wider debate about freedom of artistic expression, political criticism, human dignity and the constitutional rights of South Africans. (The Guardian)

Eventually, the Goodman Gallery reached an agreement with the ANC and the legal action was withdrawn. The already-defaced painting had reportedly been sold to a German collector, who indicated that it would remain in its defaced condition. (SAnews)

From ANC President to Political Challenger

What makes the story particularly remarkable is what happened to Jacob Zuma politically in the years that followed.

Zuma served as South Africa’s president from 2009 until 2018. After leaving office amid intense political controversy, his relationship with the ANC deteriorated further. In December 2023, Zuma announced that although he remained a lifelong ANC member, he would not campaign for the ANC in the 2024 general election. Instead, he threw his political weight behind the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party, commonly known as the MK Party. (Wikipedia)

The move dramatically changed South Africa's political landscape. The MK Party became a major political force, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where Zuma retained significant political support.

Rather than disappearing from politics, Zuma effectively reinvented himself as the leader of a new political movement challenging the ANC—the party he had once led.

Zuma’s MK Party Enters a New Phase

In 2026, the MK Party continues to position itself as a major force in South African politics. Recent developments suggest that Zuma is determined to maintain strong control over the organisation as it prepares for the country's political battles ahead.

In July, Zuma took control of the party's financial authority after revoking the signing powers of existing bank signatories. Reports said the move followed internal disputes and allegations concerning party finances. (Mail & Guardian)

Zuma subsequently announced further organisational restructuring. The party's previous Presidential Task Team was dissolved and replaced with a Strategic Presidential Team, which was described as the party's highest decision-making and strategic leadership structure. (The Citizen)

Then, in August 2026, Zuma made another major leadership move: he appointed his son Duduzane Zuma as the MK Party's First Deputy President, while Tony Yengeni was confirmed as Second Deputy President. The party also announced further changes to its leadership structures. (MK Party)

The appointment of Duduzane has inevitably raised questions about succession and the future of the MK Party. Duduzane, however, has rejected the suggestion that his appointment is about succeeding his father, saying his focus is on building the party and its long-term political and economic programme. (IOL)

The party has also attracted prominent political figures. Former eThekwini mayor and former ANC heavyweight Zandile Gumede joined the MK Party in July 2026 and was appointed its KwaZulu-Natal provincial deputy convener, strengthening Zuma's political network in the province. (The Witness)

From “The Spear” to Political Survival

The irony of Jacob Zuma's political journey is difficult to ignore.

In 2012, an artist used a provocative painting to portray Zuma as a symbol of political power, controversy and alleged excess. The ANC fought aggressively against the painting, arguing that it insulted the president and damaged his dignity.

More than a decade later, Zuma is no longer the president of the ANC. Instead, he stands at the head of a rival political party that has challenged the ANC's dominance and attracted former ANC figures to its ranks.

The man who once stood at the centre of the ANC's power now leads one of the parties seeking to reshape South Africa's political future.

Whether the MK Party becomes a lasting political movement or remains heavily dependent on Zuma's personal popularity is still a question for the future. But one thing is clear: Jacob Zuma's political story has taken another remarkable turn—from ANC president, to former president, to leader of a political movement challenging the very organisation he once headed.

And perhaps that is the most striking chapter of all: the man depicted in “The Spear” as a symbol of political power has survived the controversy, left the presidency, broken with the ANC, and returned to the political battlefield under a new banner.