South African Opposition Leader Floyd Shivambu Resigns from EFF to Join Zuma's MK Party

In Summary

• Floyd Shivambu, Deputy Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), resigned to join the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party led by former President Jacob Zuma.
• Shivambu’s departure is a significant blow to the EFF, as the MK party has gained momentum, becoming the third-largest party in South Africa’s parliament.
• Both EFF and MK are part of a leftist alliance opposing the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance coalition.
• The MK party, fueled by Zuma’s popularity, threatens the EFF’s position in South African politics.

Johannesburg, South Africa – In a surprising political shift, Floyd Shivambu, the Deputy Leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), announced on Thursday that he is resigning from his position to join the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. This move is seen as a major setback for the EFF, a Marxist party led by Julius Malema.

Shivambu’s departure comes at a crucial time for the EFF, which saw its share of the vote drop to below 10% in the national elections held in May. Meanwhile, the MK party surged ahead, securing enough votes to become the third-largest party in South Africa’s parliament. The MK party’s rapid rise is largely attributed to Zuma’s enduring popularity, particularly in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

A Blow to the EFF

The resignation of Shivambu, a prominent figure within the EFF, marks a significant blow to the party’s leadership and its efforts to maintain political relevance. The EFF and MK have shared similar ideologies, including advocating for the nationalization of banks and mines, as well as the expropriation of land for the benefit of Black farmers. Both parties are also vocal critics of what they term "white monopoly capital," accusing it of continuing to control South Africa's wealth despite the end of apartheid.

“This is a testing moment ... the EFF will have to pass this test or it will have to die,” said Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF, during a news conference following Shivambu’s announcement.

The Rise of MK

Jacob Zuma, who was expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) earlier this year after taking leadership of the MK party, has leveraged his personal following to build MK into a formidable political force. The party’s success in the recent elections was unexpected and played a critical role in reducing the ANC’s share of the vote to below 50%.

The MK party’s growing influence, combined with the departure of high-profile figures like Shivambu from the EFF, signals a potential realignment within South Africa’s leftist political landscape. The EFF and MK are both part of a leftist opposition alliance that was formed after the elections to counter the coalition government led by the ANC and the business-friendly Democratic Alliance.

Shivambu’s decision to join MK is seen as a reflection of the shifting loyalties within South Africa’s opposition parties, particularly as MK continues to attract support from those disillusioned with the EFF’s performance and the broader political establishment.