By We may not be preve to internal squabbles of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), but the party, though it has lost momentum in the recent election, it remains a well-managed organisation that knows what it stands for.
In politics, permanent means ‘while it lasts’ not forever. This week’s developments in politics with the Deputy President of the EFF and close friend of Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu leaving the EFF for uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) was a shocking reminder that in politics there are no permanent friends, nor permanent enemies.
Malema appeared to be very hurt during the announcement that Shivambu is going to join MK; he even described his hurt like that of when he lost his mother. Shivambu on the other hand said he is going to make a meaningful contribution towards shaping the direction and politics of the MK.
Floyd Shivambu did not disclose the reasons for leaving the EFF, but I still think it is a bad move for a man of his calibre. Jumping ship in politics is a normal thing, but jumping from best to worse, with no prospects of lasting is unthought-of.
The MK has not yet held an elective conference to formally elect its leadership, reshuffling happens at random without consultation. Already, there was infighting in the party in its infancy stage. The party is made up by a number of questionable characters named in scandals. The party has no clear direction as to what it wants.
The MK’s focus seems to be that of toppling the ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa, when that failed in the 2024 May elections, they seemed lost and did not know what to do after; they had no course but opted for litigation after litigation. As a young party, one wonders who is paying for these lawsuits.
MK has not even begun to make its impact in society; it missed an opportunity to be in control of KZN because their focus is revenge. It is an entitled party that feels it should have won the elections by two thirds majority, they missed an opportunity to make their presence felt in the GNU, it’s all or nothing approach is harming the party.
Former President Jacob Zuma, as leader of the party, is gathering all these giants and people who suffered under Ramaphosa’s hand. The moves he is making are giving the impression that he is preparing for war against Ramaphosa and the ANC, the agenda is revenge and nothing that benefits residents.
Floyd may have been promised positions in the MK, but the challenge comes, with the likes of Judge Hlope, Brain Molefe just to mention a few of the big names recruited to the party, who is going to be deputy to Zuma? All these men have tasted power at the helm of the entities they were running, they all believe to be strategists and are all there for a bigger slice of the cake.
It is all well and good to have big names in one room, but there is a challenge here, ambition, ego, self-actualisation and pride. Who is willing to take orders from who? Should Zuma step down and let someone else to lead the party, who will be deputy? Is it Floyd? I doubt.
You see, when you put two bulls in a room, there will disaster, but when you put many bulls, it is a catastrophe in waiting. Too many cooks in the kitchen only result into a disastrous recipe.
It is only a matter of time that all these bulls start fighting and betraying each other. Who is going to listen to who? All will want to clear their names from all the scandals levelled against them and these may require exhaustive moves that might even frustrate Shivambu as a Marxist- Leninist.
Shivambu has been Deputy President in the EFF for long and has much potential that needs expression as President, playing in the background will only frustrate him. Politics of revenge are not his game; he is an economist of note, a visionary, a revolutionary, a progressive force and son of the soil Pan Africanist.
The politics of MK may seem almost the same as that of the EFF at first glance, but the party is created out of anger, hate and the ambition to punish the ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa. As soon as Ramaphosa falls on his sword, the party will be without purpose and that will mark the end of it, or the party will self-distract as members fight for positions.
This is a bad move for Shivambu, he may think that he will be able to change things in MK, but unfortunately, that is what all abuse victims thought at the beginning of a relationship. And being amongst the corrupt will also dent his character, for a friend of a thief is a thief. I do not see the MK lasting, soon Shivambu will be out in the cold.
Zuma has demonstrated over the years that he does not respect the rule of law, he does what is convenient and best for him at any given time; trusting him is a mistake, it is only a matter of time for him to renegade from his promises to Shivambu.
