Cape Town – The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that it will take its trademark dispute with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) back to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), seeking to prevent the party from using the name and insignia it says belong to its former armed wing.
In a media statement, the ANC said, “This case is not about technicalities. It is about safeguarding a heritage built through sacrifice, discipline and unwavering commitment to the struggle for freedom.”
The statement added that the ANC argues the MK Party’s use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and a logo resembling that of the ANC’s former military wing “creates confusion among the public and exploits the goodwill built through decades of struggle.”
In April 2024, the KwaZulu‑Natal High Court dismissed the ANC’s application under the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993, as well as its common-law passing-off claims. The high court later granted the ANC leave to appeal, finding there were “reasonable prospects of success” that a different court might reach a different conclusion.
[WATCH] The African National Congress and the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party are set for a legal showdown at the Supreme Court of Appeal over the use of the Umkhonto Wesizwe name and logo. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party insists that the name and logo belong to all who served in the… pic.twitter.com/MyB7wBjOq2
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 14, 2025
The MK Party, led by Jacob Zuma, registered under the name of the ANC’s former armed wing. The ANC contends this amounts to misrepresentation or “passing off,” arguing the party is leveraging the reputation of the name and symbol without authorisation.
[MEDIA STATEMENT]: MK PARTY STATEMENT ON THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS’ APPEAL TO STOP THE USE OF THE MK PARTY’s NAME AND LOGO. pic.twitter.com/nqm3Nfgz2m
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) November 13, 2025
The forthcoming SCA hearing will focus on whether the MK Party’s use of the name and logo infringes trademark rights, creates public confusion, and improperly benefits from the ANC’s historical legacy.
The ANC says its submissions will address “the well-established reputation of the MK name and insignia, the unlawful appropriation of the mark, and the prejudice caused when a symbol of our liberation struggle is used without authorisation.”
STATEMENT OF THE ANC ON THE APPEAL BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL IN THE MK TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT MATTER pic.twitter.com/V64gYAbdNU
— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) November 14, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
