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IOL News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The political gamble of Floyd Shivambu: Is he overestimating his popularity?
Floyd Shivambu's political maneuvers raise questions about his future in MK and the potential for a new party. As he navigates a treacherous political landscape, will he succeed or face expulsion?" Image: X/floydshivambu Call South African politics and politicians many things but predictable is not one of them. Fresh from Liam Jacobs crossing over from the Democratic Alliance to his political nemesis, The Patriotic Alliance, South Africans were treated to another bombshell this week. Former EFF founder turned former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Secretary General, Floyd Shivambu announced he was mulling the idea of forming a new party of his own - but not yet. He will remain a member of MK for now. Confused? Don't be. Its the chess game of politics. Shivambu is pulling off the same stunt as that of former president Jacob Zuma, now MK leader. Remember how Zuma made the shocking announcement he was leading MK while still a member of the ANC in 2023? He was later expelled from the ANC and returned leading the pack with MK's spectacular victory at the last general elections. Malema did the same when he too was expelled from the ANC in 2012 - and went on to form the EFF together with Shivambu. The EFF too, drew massive support away from the ANC, which was the catalyst of the party's subsequent decline. Shivambu is playing the same game. Mudding the political waters. Daring the MK to expel him. Except he is not Zuma. Or Malema. South Africans don't take well to political chameleons. Party hopping does not work unless you are a huge political figure. Shivambu is a well known figure - but not a powerful leader in his own right. He was given wings by parties led by powerful public figures who command support. Shivambu was the think-tank behind the EFF and later MK strategist and national organiser. Less than a year after joining MK, Shivambu's wings were clipped before he could fly. Was that the issue? Was Shivambu seen as a threat within MK by Zuma's inner circle? His feud with Zuma's daughter Duduzile played out on social media as she unleashed her fury at his character, calling him the 'worst thing to happen to MK'. And, despite her apology, its well known the animosity between them persisted. The tussle for Zuma's ear and ultimately control of the party. Shivambu certainly hinted at that. His axing as MK Secretary General was the final clipping of his wings and clearly ruffled his feathers enough for him to make the decision to go out on his own - at some point. Shivambu no doubt has the backing of funders who call the tune. That's just how it works. Those who pay the piper, call the tune. But is Shivambu overestimating his popularity in taking on MK and the EFF? Calling the EFF a 'cult' and Zuma 'gullible' is hardly a recipe for success when those leaders still command a massive following, especially on the ground. And more critically, Shivambu lacks the charm - crucial when mobilising support at grass roots level. Both Malema and Zuma use their personal populism which appeals to their support base. Malema, a political demagogue, uses his kill the boer song to rile African support while Zuma's identity in Zulu tribalism is his draw card. Both the EFF and MK have leaders as their brand identities. Shivambu taking them on is brave but a huge miscalculation. Already, the response to him potentially forming his own party is being shot down by most South Africans. Social media is abuzz as South Africans weigh in. Shivambu is being called out as not trust worthy for visiting fraud accused fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri. He is also being taken to task for remaining within MK while talking of forming a new party. His bold announcement may have backfired. During his media briefing, a confident Shivambu threw several salvos at MK - a party he still remains a member of. He accused Zuma of being surrounded by 'political scoundrels' who he said 'take drugs and tweet at night' - a thinly veiled reference to Duduzile, the only one who has openly criticised Shivambu with her late night tweets previously. Clearly Shivambu is being led to believe the time is right for another political party. Its a path many before him have followed, some popular, others simply overestimating their popularity. And, despite the misguided reference to Zuma as 'gullible,' Shivambu knows too well his days with MK are numbered. He will be expelled. Others before him faced the same fate for far less transgressions within the party. Zuma will not tolerate Shivambu campaigning for another party while within the MK. And Shivambu's expulsion is not a question of if - but when. And, given Zuma's fury at Shivambu, that expulsion is likely to be fast and furious. Until then, Shivambu is a man on the ledge. ** Zohra Teke is an independent writer and journalist. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL IOL Opinion Zohra Teke Image: Independent Newspapers
IOL News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Shivambu remains with Zuma's party despite plans for new political formation
Floyd Shivambu. Image: Tumi Pakkies FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu will remain a member of the Jacob Zuma-led party despite his intention of forming a new political party. "I'm saying that we are going to consult with the people of South Africa and if uMkhonto weSizwe believes that going to listen to people violates that constitution then it will tell me that." His stance appears to mirror Zuma's move when he refused to terminate his ANC membership after he had announced that he would be leading the MK Party. Shivambu told a media briefing in Johannesburg that his removal from his position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow Zuma. According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma. "It was extremely bizarre and a fake intelligence report that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear." Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by "political scoundrels" who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favour their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being undermined. Shivambu's demotion was announced by the party on June 3, with the reason cited as his visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi over the Easter weekend. However, Shivambu said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him. Shivambu's future in the party has been uncertain since his removal as secretary-general. In response, he announced that he would consult with various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party. Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult.
The Star
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Floyd Shivambu plots new political party amid Zuma coup accusations
Former MK party secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, has declared the start of the process to create a new political party following accusations that he attempted to topple former president Jacob Zuma as the MKP leader. Speaking at a press briefing at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand on Thursday, Shivambu said they will be consulting with all traditional leaders, church leaders, and civilians over the next few months on the formation of the party. 'We will be seeking the wisdom of ordinary South Africans, including all the churches of Zion Christian Church of Nazareth Baptist Church and IPCC… Michael Nkuna, Dr Irvin Khoza, Patrice Motsepe, and Kaizer Motaung on the need to form a new political party. 'If yes, what should be the values of that political party and what should differentiate it from other political parties?' he said. However, Shivambu insisted he was not leaving MKP, brushing off the question about dual membership. 'I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe. I will never resign from uMkhonto weSizwe,' he said, sticking to his word that joining Zuma's party was the best decision ever. Shivambu stated that the consultations needed to be the answer to why and how the party should be funded. He said the party on the pipelines is not going to be a personal project, a cult or a group of friends. He added that they will announce the leadership that is going to lead the consultations. Shivambu dropped a political bombshell during a media briefing, claiming he'd been accused of plotting to overthrow Zuma and take over. He slammed what he called a 'bizarre and fabricated intelligence report,' alleging it accused him of wielding 'supernatural powers' capable of making people vanish — charges he dismissed as absurd and politically motivated. 'There's nothing I do in private that I won't own publicly,' Shivambu declared defiantly. His explosive comments come amid a wave of infighting that's torn through the MK Party.
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
'We will not beg anyone': Jacob Zuma on the slippery MK secretary general seat
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 3 days ago Leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe party, former president Jacob Zuma, has addressed thousands of supporters in Durban, where the political outfit launched its youth league during an event to commemorate Youth Day. Zuma stated that when he announced the formation of the MK party, he recognised that the youth would be central to its operations and mission. 'On 15 December (2023) when I made an announcement and I said those who I was part of, were fighting for freedom, and they have moved off the road. I said I am establishing this party. But I said something else that I would say on a different day. 'I said we want to take the elections and win them, and rule this country, as we said we are going to. I would not have died before I see the correct and indeed the freedom that we have spoken about. 'When I made the announcement, I knew that at the heart of the revolution is the youth in fact. It is the youth that are at the heart of succeeding in whatever we do. I am very happy that today I can say without hesitation that the youth of this country is on the road to liberate this country,' he said. The MK party leader added that the 'freedom' is not very far. Zuma said he believes it is the youth of South Africa who must lead the campaign in speaking out against the problems bedevilling the citizens. 'I don't think we should keep quiet and wait that until there is an occasion bla bla bla. We are still oppressed but the oppression of this time is at another level, and we should not accept it,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The youth is here. When we started, we knew that we could not do everything in one day. We have the youth (league) now. The youth have a role to play in history.' Zuma said when the African National Congress (ANC) it was the youth league which took the revolution to greater heights. Moving onto internal MK party matters, Zuma said the party is not beholden to anyone, and no one will be begged to stay. 'Let us not take this organisation as an organisation that you come to make money. This is not the organisation to make money. It is an organisation to liberate South Africa, this one,' said Zuma. 'That is why, if you look seriously, you realise that if we have one of us who goes out of the way, we do not beg them. Let me just tell you, it is now seven people who have occupied the position of secretary general, because we are not playing. Even if you think you are big, you have a huge following or whatever, we don't care, we talk about our party.' A week ago, IOL reported that Floyd Shivambu has been removed as the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party's secretary-general. At a press briefing hosted in Durban, the MK party said this comes after an investigation into Shivambu's trip to Malawi to visit fugitive pastor, Shepherd Bushiri's Jesus Nation Church, which was found to be against the party's constitution. A statement on behalf of Zuma was read by Nathi Nhleko, the party's national organiser. [email protected] IOL News
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Floyd Shivambu reveals 'the truth' behind his firing as MK Party Secretary-General
Mashudu Sadike | Published 3 hours ago Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has revealed that his removal from the position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow party leader Jacob Zuma. Shivambu made the revelation during a media briefing at the Mhulu Hotel in Midrand, Johannesburg, where he also announced plans to consult with South Africans on forming a new political party. According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma as party leader. However, Shivambu rejected the report with contempt, stating, "It was extremely bizarre and a fake intelligence report that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear." Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by "political scoundrels" who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favor their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being undermined. Shivambu's demotion was announced by the party on June 3, with the reason cited as his visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi over the Easter weekend. However, Shivambu maintained that this was not the real reason for his removal. He said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him. 'I last spoke to President Jacob Zuma when we had the press conference in Durban when I was relieved of my duties. I thanked him for having given me an opportunity to serve as a leader in the organisation,' he said. Shivambu further said Zuma agreed to him when they were visiting Namibia that he could go to Malawi. 'He said ngiyakhumbula (Zulu for I remember)...then he said yebo (yes)," Shivambu revealed. Shivambu's future in the party has been uncertain since his removal as secretary-general. In response, he announced that he would consult with various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party. This move comes after Zuma's scathing speech, where he took a veiled swipe at Shivambu, saying the party would not beg anyone who did wrong, no matter how popular they were. Shivambu emphasised that he remains a member of the MK Party and will not resign, despite the uncertainty surrounding his membership. "I'm saying that we are going to consult with the people of South Africa and if uMkhonto weSizwe believes that going to listen to people violates that constitution then it will tell me that." However h e took a swipe at both leaders of his former organisations, the EFF and the MKP saying members of the respective parties don't have courage to face their leaders when they are wrong. 'Everybody knew I was leaving EFF. We all discussed it and reached the same conclusion that we are not being fair to society that this comrade (Malema) would lead the country. We all agreed, even with the people that are leading the EFF now. 'For those who are saying if he wanted to destabilise the party I would have started a faction inside and caused ructions. In the coming months, Shivambu plans to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, and different institutions to determine whether there is a need for a new political party. He emphasized that this would not be a personal project but rather a representation of the people's will. Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult. MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela had not yet responded to any questions at the time of going to print. However sources within the MKP said that Shivambu had played a huge gamble and was probably going to be expelled for saying that he did not care if he was expelled. Political analyst Sandile Swana believes Shivambu's move is a clear indication that he is forming an alternative political party. "There is no question that the step that Floyd has taken today is forming an alternative political party. An alternative to the MKP and a new home for disgruntled EFF, MKP, and ANC members." Swana further noted that Shivambu's actions are similar to Zuma's, who makes decisions outside of formal structures and is guided by those around him. "Floyd is the accumulation, manifestation, and personification. A younger version of a chaotic Zuma. This is the apex of political chaos, that is Floyd." [email protected]
