Mbalula Alleges Zuma Played Music During ANC Visit
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says former president Jacob Zuma played maskandi music for hours during coalition talks with an ANC envoy.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Reggae
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ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula alleged last week that Jacob Zuma played traditional Zulu maskandi music throughout a visit by ANC official Mdumiseni Ntuli to Zuma's Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal. The envoy had been sent to engage Zuma during coalition negotiations that followed the May 2024 general elections.
Why it matters
The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the May 2024 general elections for the first time since 1994, making coalition talks with smaller parties central to forming government. Allegations that substantive discussions did not take place highlight the difficulty of those negotiations.
The alleged meeting lasted for hours, according to the claim, with no substantial political discussion recorded. The MK Party had not publicly responded at the time of reporting.
The players
Fikile Mbalula
Fikile Mbalula is the Secretary-General of the African National Congress and a senior figure in South African politics.
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma is a former President of South Africa who leads the MK Party and is known for his influence in KwaZulu-Natal politics.
Mdumiseni Ntuli
Mdumiseni Ntuli is an ANC official who was sent by the party to engage Zuma during coalition negotiations.
The details
According to Mbalula, Ntuli travelled to Nkandla to engage Zuma on coalition arrangements, but Zuma reportedly played maskandi music for hours instead of discussing political matters. The claims come from the ANC, and the MK Party has not yet publicly answered them.
Timeline
May 2024: General elections held; ANC loses parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.
Last week: Mbalula publicly makes the allegations about Zuma and Ntuli's visit.
Political Context
The allegations emerge from the first post-1994 coalition negotiations, when the ANC no longer commanded a parliamentary majority. The MK Party's stance on coalition arrangements remains a central unresolved question.
Readers following South African coalition politics can track how the MK Party responds to the allegations. The outcome of coalition talks will determine which party forms government.
The takeaway
Coalition negotiations after an election loss of a governing majority can be complicated and heavily contested. Readers should watch for official responses from the MK Party and the ANC to separate verified developments from allegations.
Further reading
For more on music in the region, see our Reggae coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ghanamma.
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