LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Floyd Shivambu, the deputy leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), announced on Thursday his resignation from the party to join uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a political movement led by former President Jacob Zuma. This decision represents a significant setback for the EFF, a Marxist political party headed by Julius Malema.
Shivambu’s exit comes at a time when the EFF is grappling with dwindling support, having seen its share of the national vote slip below 10% in the May elections. Meanwhile, the newly established MK party has rapidly gained ground, emerging as the third-largest party in South Africa’s parliament. The rise of MK, particularly in Zuma’s stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal, underscores its growing influence within the country’s political landscape.
Both the EFF and MK are members of a leftist opposition alliance formed after the elections to challenge the coalition government led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance. However, Shivambu’s move to MK highlights the increasing appeal of Zuma’s party, which has resonated with many voters dissatisfied with the status quo.
“This is a critical moment for the EFF,” Malema remarked during a press briefing. “The party must overcome this challenge, or it risks fading away.”
Jacob Zuma, who was expelled from the ANC earlier this year after taking leadership of MK, has seen his party exceed expectations in the recent elections. MK played a pivotal role in reducing the ANC’s vote share to below 50%, signaling a shift in South Africa’s political dynamics.
The EFF and MK share several key policies, such as advocating for the nationalization of banks and mines and supporting land expropriation for Black farmers. Both parties have consistently criticized what they describe as “white monopoly capital,” arguing that South Africa’s wealth remains disproportionately concentrated among the white minority, even three decades after the end of apartheid.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.