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After Shivambu’s exit from the EFF, a leadership crisis may see Mbuyiseni Ndlozi rise

After Shivambu’s exit from the EFF, a leadership crisis may see Mbuyiseni Ndlozi rise
Julius Malema (CiC of EFF) and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at Randburg Magistrate's Court, Johannesburg. 01 July 2022. (Photo: Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle)
Velani Ludidi
By Velani Ludidi
30 Aug 2024
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One of the first EFF MPs who has been in the shadows of late, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi could benefit from Floyd Shivambu’s exit from the party as his chances of ascending to a leadership position have slightly increased.

Floyd Shivambu’s exit from the EFF has sent ripples through South Africa’s political landscape. As a co-founder and former deputy president of the party, Shivambu’s departure marks a significant shift within the EFF, and as Daily Maverick reported previously, it could cause a leadership crisis.

Read more in  Daily Maverick: Five ways Floyd Shivambu’s defection from EFF to MK could harm Malema’s party

The departure came just months after the EFF was dislodged as the third-largest party in South Africa. Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party overtook the EFF in the 29 May general election, and is now the official opposition in the National Assembly after the DA joined the Government of National Unity.

Shivambu’s resignation from the EFF was sudden and unexpected. The real reason Shivambu left the party and his best friend in limbo have yet to be confirmed.

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of South Africaís democratic dispensation and commemorates the nationís first democratic election on 27 April 1994. The EFF's Julius Malema and Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at a Daveyton community meeting on Freedom Day 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / OJ Koloti)



He was announced as the MK Party national organiser last week, a position that will see him take control of political education, monitoring, governance and the establishment of structures. The announcement came barely a week after Shivambu ditched the EFF. 

Read on Daily Maverick: Ego Squared — from one strongman to another, Shivambu’s road may prove to be a rocky one

Julius Malema told EFF ground forces in Orlando, Soweto, last week that Shivambu said his decision was a political one – something Malema said he does not believe, but respects. 

Read more: Malema hardens stance on Shivambu, says EFF members with ‘personal agendas’ should leave too

Shivambu’s exit could be a blessing in disguise for Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, another prominent figure within the party, who now stands a better chance of ascending to a top leadership position at the upcoming December people’s assembly. Ndlozi was the EFF’s Gauteng premier candidate in the May elections and has been an MP since 2014, having initially served as the EFF’s spokesperson. He is also the head of the party’s political education efforts.

Implications for the EFF


Shivambu’s exit has undoubtedly created a vacuum within the EFF. As a key figure in the party’s formation and growth, his absence will be felt. However, this also presents an opportunity for the EFF to reassess and realign its leadership dynamics. The party has faced internal challenges and declining support in regions like KwaZulu-Natal, where it recently suffered significant electoral losses. 

Led by Malema, the EFF’s Central Command Team – the party’s highest decision-making body between its national assemblies – convened in KZN over the weekend to assess their loss. 

Read more: Malema assesses EFF’s KZN election losses while ructions continue over Shivambu’s exit

Shivambu’s departure could be a catalyst for the EFF to address these issues and strengthen its internal cohesion.

Ndlozi to rise


Ndlozi, often referred to as the “People’s Bae”, has been a prominent and charismatic figure within the EFF. Known for his eloquence and strong oratory skills, Ndlozi has garnered a substantial following both within the party and among the public. With Shivambu’s exit, Ndlozi’s path to a top leadership position appears more attainable.

He has maintained a clean profile, with no scandals associated with him. Ndlozi last had a court case when he and Malema were accused of assaulting Lieutenant-Colonel Johannes Jacobus Venter during the funeral of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Fourways on 14 April 2018.

They were both acquitted in September 2022 after four years of court appearances. 

Malema has shown some trust in Ndlozi after letting him run for the Gauteng premiership. Last year, he was sent to Limpopo to lead the rebuilding of the provincial structure after it was disbanded for failing to garner enough support during the 2021 municipal elections.

Even before Shivambu’s sudden exit, there had been calls, especially from young people within the EFF, for Ndlozi to become the next secretary-general of the party as the incumbent, Marshall Dlamini, is tipped to become the party’s deputy leader. 

Julius Malema and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at the Randburg Magistrate's Court, Johannesburg, on 1 July 2022. (Photo: Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)



The campaign was gaining momentum until the news of Shivambu’s exit surfaced and the party had to focus on closing ranks and preventing an exodus. 

Malema also took a dig at Ndlozi, who until recently had remained silent about his future with the party. Malema said EFF members who are popular on social media must defend the party as it deals with Shivambu’s departure and the possibility of others following suit. 

Two senior EFF members have confirmed to Daily Maverick that Malema was testing Ndlozi’s loyalty by attacking him publicly. 

“Ndlozi knows what is happening and he is getting ready to challenge a leadership position at the upcoming people’s assembly,” said the EFF insider. “His ability to connect with younger voters and compellingly articulate the EFF’s policies could rejuvenate the party’s image and broaden its appeal.” 

Inclusion


Those lobbying for Ndlozi are working for his inclusion in Malema’s slate in December. 

Gauteng is said to have already thrown its support behind Ndlozi but it cannot make public pronouncements as it is against the party’s rules. 

Ndlozi has had a low profile of late, but his presence has been felt in the National Assembly where he made vital contributions and sometimes got in trouble with the Speaker for raising witty points of order.

Following Shivambu’s departure and suggestions that many would follow, Ndlozi made his first public appearance with Malema last week when they visited Gauteng finance MEC Lebohang Maile, who recently lost his son. The pair again were together in KwaZulu-Natal, with Ndlozi leading in song before Malema took the podium at the funeral of Mama Twala, the mother of EFF KZN provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala. 

Ndlozi’s election to a top leadership position could bring fresh energy and perspectives to the EFF’s leadership, which may be crucial for the party’s future success, according to his supporters. 

Challenges Ahead


Despite the potential benefits, Ndlozi’s path to leadership is not without challenges. The EFF’s internal dynamics are complex, and securing a top position will require strategic manoeuvring and coalition-building within the party. 

Professor Dirk Kotze, from the Department: Political Sciences at the University of South Africa said, Ndlozi certainly stood a chance, but so did Marshall Dlamini. 

“The position of secretary-general is on the one hand a very influential position, but it is overshadowed by the president’s prominence,” he stated. “Coming from KZN will also count in his favour, because the EFF needs an urgent recovery in the province. The only proviso for both is that Malema will probably not want a very strong or prominent deputy, to avoid a repetition of the Shivambu situation or threat to him. A docile, subordinated but committed deputy will probably be preferable for Malema. At the same time, they are under pressure to include more prominent women in the top structure.”

Kotze added that at the moment there was not an obvious female candidate for this position. 

“In summary, Malema is the key factor in this decision, and it will depend on how he evaluates the situation.” 

Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, the acting director of the Center for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at Nelson Mandela University, said based on Malema’s public utterances following Shivambu’s exit, there were still trust issues that need to be addressed. 

“Attacking Ndlozi publicly was a political rebuke,” said Breakfast. “There is nobody in that executive that will be elected without Malema’s blessing. Ndlozi is popular within the EFF, he might emerge but the chances are slim.” 

He added that Malema was still hurting from what happened with Shivambu and he would not want something similar to occur. Ndlozi could not be reached for comment. DM

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