Durban — Floyd Shivambu, who ditched Julius Malema’s EFF and joined the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) last month, has shrugged off rumours of bad blood between himself and his long-time ally, Malema.
Shivambu, who is the MKP’s national organiser, has faced unrelenting mudslinging from prominent EFF members and leaders on social media, who accuse him of selling out the Red Berets, a party he helped form in 2013 after he and Malema were expelled from the ANC.
Speaking to the Daily News during his campaign in Durban ahead of Wednesday’s by-elections, Shivambu dismissed claims of a rift between himself and Malema.
“He remains my brother and a comrade. People must understand that there might be differences in politics, but that does not mean that in our personal lives, there are differences,” he said.
On the attacks from EFF members, he said he had not seen any, adding that he was busy with the work of the MKP.
“Right now, our focus is to build a strong party and a powerful Progressive Alliance, so we hold this nonsense called the Government of National Unity (GNU) to account. I have been following what people are saying on social media,” he said.
The Progressive Alliance includes, among others, the EFF and the African Transformation Movement, led by Vuyo Zungula.
Shivambu said the MKP would use the by-elections to strengthen its support base before the 2026 local government elections.
“We are building our structures and contesting the by-elections as we prepare for a takeover of municipalities such as eThekwini in 2026.
“We want to form one front of progressive forces. Ours is to unite black people from all walks of life instead of fighting among ourselves. That is the main target of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
“We can’t make the same mistake of being divided like before. It is time to unite as black people and fight for our complete emancipation from the shackles of poverty and inequality.”
The MKP is the main opposition party to the GNU in the country.
During the May elections, it stunned critics, bagging 58 seats in the National Assembly, boasting 400 seats, and 37 seats in the provincial legislature in KwaZulu-Natal, which has 80 seats.
Shivambu vowed that MKP would increase its tally in the upcoming local government elections and the subsequent 2029 national general elections.
“The foundation is there. We are building from a strong foundation, and the ground is fertile. If you understand politics, it is easy to see that.
“The ANC has messed up cities such as Durban. As the MK Party, we would rebuild such cities because they attract tourists to the country,” said Shivambu.
In his role as the national organiser, Shivambu was tasked with building the branches, political education and strengthening the organisation, among others.
Shivambu holds several qualifications, including a Master’s of Science in International Development from the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies.
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