South African politics reclaimed its “never a dull moment” title when in a shock move, the co-founder and EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu ditched the party he helped establish to join the uMkhonto weSizwe party led by President Jacob Zuma.
Shivambu made his surprise decision public on Thursday during a media conference held by the EFF in Johannesburg.
Various political analysts have weighed in amid rumours that there were leadership challenges in the EFF, and emphasised that the emergence of the MK Party was expected to disrupt the country's political landscape as it builds a strong structure.
Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni said that it was still too early to understand the motivation behind Shivambu’s departure from the EFF to the MK Party, adding that “it may well be part of a much larger strategy” of the consolidation of the Progressive (left) forces.
He said that both the EFF and the MK party sought to announce a parliamentary working group in terms of the progressive forces that were mostly made up of former ANC associated leaders.
“It may well be a step towards universalising these progressive forces under the MK Party. The truth is that the MK Party was a big showstopper in the recent elections with just over two and a half million votes. The EFF declined and the MK Party seems to be occupying the radical space that was previously occupied by the EFF, particularly when the EFF decided to become much more moderate in its articulation and positioning,” said Mnguni.
Further to this, the move by Shivambu demystified the belief that the MK Party was only supported by the Zulu people, said Mnguni. “Every political party has a constituency base in terms of South African politics, we can’t accuse the MK party of being a party of the Zulu people…
“Once a party can break out of the mould of its region and begins to pick up votes in other provinces it then defines itself and picks up a national character. Nobody said in 2014 that the EFF was a party of Gauteng everybody was amazed that it picked votes in all provinces and yet half its voter share came from Gauteng.”
Mnguni said that the MK Party had the potential to grow as it was appealing to more people.
Independent political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Shivambu's departure was a sad moment for him and his party.
“He and Malema had waged several struggles against the establishment. They were joined from the hip. This much was expressed at the hurriedly called press conference. Malema is a political animal. This is just one of the political setbacks he has suffered, he is a survivor.”
Weighing in on those critical of the MK Party as more politicians and ex-politicians joined the party, Seepe argued that it was to the credit of the party that many black professionals were finding it an attractive political home.
“This shifts the centre of professional gravity towards the MK Party in parliament. Fortunately, many of these professionals served under the government of ANC and know the wherewithal of government, and some are familiar with tabling the reports in government,” said Seepe.
He added that this made them a lethal force in holding the executive accountable.
Much like Mnguni, Seepe dismissed the suggestion that the MK Party was a tribal party. “It has no basis in fact in the same way as it is to accuse the ANC of being a party of Xhosa-speaking people. It is a lazy characterisation of the party by people who are themselves tribalists
“People are motivated to join a party that offers them a better value proposition. They also do so when they think they use their skills and knowledge to the greatest value to themselves and the party they join. The MK party presents that value proposition. Fortunately for Shivambu, the MK party is ideologically aligned to his political posture,” he concluded.
Dr Metji Makgoba, an Independent political analyst and Senior Lecturer at the University of Limpopo, felt that Shivambu was too ambitious and intelligent, and that a fallout with Malema was inevitable.
“I am sure the departure is linked to his leadership aspirations within the EFF. This will hurt the EFF and he will be a wonderful addition to the MK Party. He has strong academic and political credentials that will be felt wherever he goes.
“Within the ultra-left, he is a respected thinker who reads and is articulate. He is also abrasive and has a strong personality. Shivambu can be mentioned in the same bracket as the likes of Professor Chris Malikane because of his leftist inclination and commitment.”
Makgoba noted that while the departure of Shivambu from the EFF would hurt the party as the MK Party and the EFF were competing for the same radical space in the country.
Sunday Independent