Floyd Shivambu Hits Major MK Setback

Shivambu in MK Attire – Getty Images

The back-and-forth political career of Floyd Shivambu has hit a major setback. Early June saw news of his shift within the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party from Secretary General to Member of Parliament. This redeployment, widely perceived as a demotion, reportedly stems from tensions with party leadership, particularly following a controversial trip to Malawi earlier this year.

Once a key member of the African National Congress’s (ANC) Youth League, Shivambu found himself part of a heated disciplinary process back in 2012. This was largely seen as a bid by the then Jacob Zuma-led ANC to distance itself from the wayward political image that was being portrayed by its Youth League leaders.

The following year, in 2013, Shivambu teamed up with the controversial Julius Malema to form the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Adopting red overalls, it was under the EFF where Shivambu co-led and fuelled South Africa’s radical left-wing movement, advocating revolutionary ideas that resonated strongly with the country’s marginalised youth and working class.

In 2024, the country’s national elections revealed former president Jacob Zuma’s MK party as more than the mere political disruptor it was thought to be months before. Instead, MK proved to be the country’s third largest political favourite, casting an embarrassing shadow over the Malema- and Shivambu-led EFF. Mere months after the election results, the country learned of  Shivambu’s departure from the EFF to join the MK party.

Despite his pivotal role in building MK’s mobilization structures post-election, Shivambu’s relationship with party leadership has reportedly frayed. A significant point of contention was his attendance at Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s sermon in Malawi during Easter 2025. The controversial prophet, known for his polarizing influence, drew scrutiny to Shivambu’s judgment. In TV interviews, Shivambu stood firm, defending his decision and asserting that the trip was sanctioned by MK leadership. His refusal to apologize fueled further criticism within the party. Additionally, in late May 2025, a leaked letter — later debunked as “fake news” by MK sources — called for Shivambu’s removal as Secretary General, adding to speculation about his standing.

Jacob Zuma addressed the controversy, stating that Shivambu’s association with figures like Bushiri had drawn criticism but emphasized that the redeployment to Parliament caused no significant disruptions within MK.