Zuma’s Shivambu move pays off!

FORMER EFF deputy president's political move hailed.

Nine months after ex-EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu made headlines by joining the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, the political move, initially met with mixed reactions, has now been hailed as a "calculated masterstroke".

Former political activist Tshepo Mokono said Shivambu's unexpected departure from the EFF in August 2024 and alignment with MK party leader Jacob Zuma marked a significant realignment in the country's populist political space.

According to Mokono, this decision was far more than symbolic, it was strategic.

"Zuma didn't just recruit a leader, he built one. And in doing so, he reminded the nation that real leadership sees further than most," said Mokono.

In an opinion piece, Mokono went on to explain that Shivambu brings more than just profile to the MK party.

"It was not just about gaining a high-profile figure but about strengthening the movement with someone who understands the language of power, policy, and planning," he said.

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Mokono credited Shivambu's rise within the MK, now serving as its secretary-general, to his ability to "articulate and organise around key strategic themes".

This, he added, has likely enhanced the MK party's appeal in KZN and in other regions.

"The recruitment also appears to have weakened the EFF, which lost ground post-election, suggesting a geopolitical move by Zuma to shift leftist and populist support towards MK," he said.

He further said: "In short, Zuma's recruitment of Shivambu has so far been a tactical success, capitalising on his political science acumen and organisational prowess to bolster MK's credibility and challenge rivals like the ANC and EFF."

However, Mokono acknowledged that the long-term success of this move will depend on how Shivambu navigates both internal party dynamics and the broader political landscape.

"Whether this translates into sustained geopolitical influence or electoral dominance will depend on how Shivambu handles internal dynamics and external competition moving forward," he said.

"In many ways, Shivambu's quiet yet firm leadership style evokes the spirit of Walter Sisulu. Sisulu didn't chase headlines, but his fingerprints were all over the ANC's most formative moments.

"Similarly, Shivambu operates not for spectacle, but for structure. He understands that sustainable power is not just about visibility, it's about the hard, often invisible work of building lasting institutions," he said.

He highlighted Shivambu's transformation from behind-the-scenes operator to public figurehead within MK.

"Shivambu is now the one leading press conferences, a sharp contrast to before, when EFF president Julius Malema was always the one in front of the mic and did all the talking," he said.

Mokono added: "Zuma, in bringing him in, didn't just spot talent, he revived a political archetype South Africa desperately needs. A thinker who builds. A planner who delivers."