Johannesburg – In a move that has solidified, former South African president Jacob Zuma’s influence within the fledgling uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party (MKP), former Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu has been appointed as the party’s new secretary-general.
The announcement, made on Sunday by MKP head of presidency Magasela Mzobe, represents a significant power shift within the relatively young organisation and is widely seen as a reward for Shivambu’s recent allegiance to Zuma’s party.
This follows the recent resignation of Dr Sifiso Maseko, who stepped down to return to his position at the Gauteng Department of Health.
Maseko’s departure, which came after he was suspended from the Gauteng Department of Health pending an internal disciplinary process, was accepted by MKP president Jacob Zuma.
In a statement, Mzobe explained: “The president accepted commander Dr. Maseko’s request to resume his work as chief director in the Gauteng Department of Health. Commander Maseko is released as secretary-general of uMkhonto weSizwe, but will retain his responsibilities as a member of the National High Command, which is the highest decision-making body in the MKP.”
Shivambu, who joined the MKP in August, will assume the secretary-general’s role immediately. Mzobe’s statement confirmed Zuma’s decision, saying: “As prescribed by the MK Party constitution, the president has in consultation with the MK Party national officials, appointed commander Nyiko Floyd Shivambu as the secretary-general of Umkhonto weSizwe, effective immediately. Commander Nyiko Floyd Shivambu will assume all the functions and tasks of secretary-general as prescribed by the constitution of the MKP.”
The party also confirmed that the vacant position of national organiser will be addressed separately by Zuma and other national officials.
“The president commends commander Dr. Maseko for playing an important role in the life of the organisation. The president expresses full confidence in secretary-general Nyiko Floyd Shivambu and the entire leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” Mzobe added.
This appointment follows closely on the heels of another high-profile addition to the MKP’s ranks: former EFF national chairperson Dali Mpofu. Mpofu, who joined the party recently, revealed his involvement in the MKP’s founding in 2023.
He described a period where, along with Zuma, he was privy to the plans for establishing the new party while still members of their previous parties, the EFF and the ANC respectively. The MKP’s growth has also seen the departure of former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane from the EFF in October.
The selection of Shivambu for the secretary-general position wasn’t without internal debate. Reports earlier this week suggested that while Zuma initially favoured Shivambu, his inner circle ultimately steered him towards veteran activist Ndumiso Matlala.
A party insider, speaking anonymously, explained the reasoning: “We are satisfied that Shivambu is doing a good job as the national organiser, so it would not be wise to open a hole there. We had no choice but to leave him in that position and consider someone else. You cannot remove a capable person from a particular position when he is beginning to stabilise and do well,”
The Sunday World reported that Shivambu himself had indicated his contentment with his existing role as national organiser. Maseko’s departure, following weeks of speculation, created a power vacuum within the MKP, prompting considerable lobbying for the influential secretary-general position. The appointment of Shivambu, however, signals a clear direction for the MKP’s leadership structure as it navigates its early stages of development.
