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Jacob Zuma on Floyd Shivambu: Trust, Disappointment, and a Political Split
A trusted ally turned rival
Former president Jacob Zuma has made no secret of his disappointment in Floyd Shivambu, the one-time secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. Speaking to supporters in the Free State, Zuma said he had placed deep trust in the younger politician, only to feel betrayed when Shivambu began pulling members away from the party.
“I was disappointed by a young man that I had trusted in an extraordinary way,” Zuma told the crowd, adding that educated leaders sometimes misuse their influence by acting superior. For Zuma, Shivambu’s role had been clear: unite Black South Africans under the MK banner. Instead, he says, Shivambu chose to chart his own path.
Why Shivambu was expelled
The MK party expelled Shivambu in August, citing actions that brought the party into disrepute. He had already been stripped of his secretary-general post weeks earlier after an unauthorised trip to Malawi. During that visit, Shivambu met controversial pastor Shepherd Bushiri, a fugitive in South Africa.
The fallout was swift. The Malawi meeting was seen as a public relations disaster for the fledgling MK party, undermining its credibility at a critical time. What had begun as an internal disciplinary issue soon snowballed into Shivambu’s expulsion.
A new party on the horizon
Shivambu has not faded quietly into the background. He recently completed the Mayibuye Africa consultation process, signalling plans to launch a new political party. Though details remain under wraps, his breakaway effort is already stirring debate. Supporters see it as a fresh start, while critics accuse him of fracturing an already crowded political landscape.
Zuma’s warning about division
Zuma used the moment not only to reflect on Shivambu’s departure but also to caution against the fragmentation of South Africa’s political left. He argued that too many parties claiming to represent African interests are weakening the broader struggle for land and unity.
“They want to divide us so that we do not get the land back,” Zuma said, insisting that progressive leftist movements must instead align. He emphasised that the MK party still believes it can one day amend the constitution and govern in a way that reflects its own vision of justice.
What it means for South African politics
The rift between Zuma and Shivambu adds yet another layer of complexity to South Africa’s political scene in 2025. On one hand, it highlights the volatility within new movements like MK, which have to balance loyalty, discipline, and growth. On the other, it shows how personal relationships and rivalries continue to shape party politics.
With Shivambu preparing to launch a new party and Zuma rallying his base around unity, the coming months could reshape alliances on the left. For voters, it underscores the tension between the promise of new beginnings and the risks of division.
Also read: Mozambican National Sentenced to Life for Murder of Six-Year-Old Amantle Samane
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
