Simon Nare
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) late on Monday night announced the appointment of former editor Sifiso Mahlangu as its new national spokesman with immediate effect.
The announcement was made at a press conference attended by officials, led by former president Jacob Zuma. In a statement read by secretary general Sibonelo Nomvalo, the party said Mahlangu was replacing Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who it said had stepped down from his responsibilities as national spokesperson in the party and in Parliament with immediate effect.
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Ndhlela’s reasons for stepping down were not shared at the press conference, but the party described Mahlangu, a former editor of The Star newspaper, as a highly experienced journalist and renowned media personality who brings invaluable technical and professional insight to the position.
“The national leadership of uMkhonto we Sizwe urges the media fraternity, general public and members of uMkhonto we Sizwe to provide comrade Sifiso Mahlangu with the usual and necessary support.
“The national officials also take this opportunity to thank comrade Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who held the fort as the inaugural national spokesperson of the party, as he steps down from the role of national spokesperson both in the party and parliament with immediate effect. His contribution in building uMkhonto we Sizwe Party’s media and public footprint is highly appreciated,” it said.
The party also revealed that the national officials had deliberated on a media statement issued by the uMkhonto weSizwe Institute on May 16, 2026, which said it would assume responsibility for the political management and administration of the organisation. The party said the announcement was inconsistent with its views and position.
The institute was formed at the weekend, reportedly to manage the party’s ideological and strategic direction.
MKP said that although the statement was read in the presence of Zuma, the national officials, including Zuma, were not aware of the entirety of the statement until it was made public, specifically the proposal dealing with the party’s leadership architecture.
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“The national officials therefore hereby declare the proposition of changing party’s leadership by the MK Institute issued on the 16th May 2026 null and void. The media statement does not reflect the views and decisions of the national officials.”
The party said the statement had made reference to the roles of various leaders and purported that the institute had the power to change the roles of national officials, while also suggesting that all leadership structures reported to it. The party said this was not the case.
MKP has undergone a series of leadership changes since its formation, including several changes to the secretary general position. Nomvalo became the party’s eighth secretary general since the party was formed in December 2023.
The party’s former secretary generals include former Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who was removed from the position in 2025 after internal tensions and controversy over an unauthorised trip to Malawi.
