Johnathan Paoli
THE Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has appointed former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu to the party’s National High Command as the National Organiser.
In a media briefing on Thursday, the address announcement and address was delivered by the secretary-general Sifiso Maseko in the presence of party President Jacob Zuma, who did not speak.
Maseko announced the finalisation of the party’s highest decision-making body, the National High Command, which included Zuma as President, John Hlophe as Deputy President, and Sifiso Maseko as Secretary General, with Shivambu as the National Organiser.
Shivambu will be responsible for organising the development of organisational documents and guidelines, national education, policy and research among other responsibilities, Maseko said.
He also said that apart from certain exceptions, members being sent to Parliament will not necessarily be those who hold leadership positions within the party itself.
“We are separating the functions of those who lead the party and those who go to Parliament and Legislatures,” Maseko said.
He intimated that it would be the party providing guidance to MPs and not the other way around.
Maseko emphasised the party’s dedication to the Progressive Caucus and the liberation of the country.
“The MK party is the only liberation movement, because those who were tasked with the liberation of our people have turned their backs on the struggle,” he said.
When asked about allegations that the party was either a family stokvel or a personality cult, Maseko said: “Our attraction to the MKP is the ideology that we all hold. The philosophy is in terms of Pan-Africanism, the ideology is the true liberation of our people. That is what we all centre around”.
He said the prerogative to appoint leadership structures remains with the President through the office of the SG, and that the discussion and adoption of its policies was close to being finalised.
Maseko said the list of the National High Command will be the final one offered by the party, after various changes, but cautioned against incompetence and leadership failures.
“We will not tolerate laziness and decisive leaders who’s only and primary purpose is to sow division in our ranks. We call for the unity and unification of all progressive political parties to fight against white minority rule in SA. We have an obligation as progressive forces to rise above our differences and to build a solid and sound political organisation to represent our people,” he said.
He said the party remained staunchly against the Government of National Unity (GNU), which he referred to as nothing other than a coalition between the African National Congress (ANC) of Ramaphosa and the Democratic Alliance.
The SG confirmed that no elective conferences are planned by the party, since it would provide an opportunity for saboteurs to undermine what the organisation was trying to achieve.
He said the party will continue to work with unions, parties and organisations in order to drive the progressive agenda.
Speaking after the address, Shivambu said he remained dedicated to the MK party due to its vision of unifying progressive parties and organisations.
“The attempt at unification is not just an opportunistic one, it is a genuine political discussion for those interested in the revolution. I will never betray the revolution, because we are not in the business of pleasing others’ egos, we are in the business of securing the revolution,” Shivambu said.
Shivambu said even in the event of his own possible removal, he will continue to work for the party, since he has no interest in individual benefits over the liberation of the country.
Hlophe responding to questions over whether Shivambu was deployed as an attempt to destroy the EFF, said Shivambu has always been a comrade and a very experienced politician.
“He is sharp as a razor, and he will, without a doubt be very useful to the party, and was deployed due to his qualifications,” Hlophe said.
He refrained from commenting on the expelled MK members, including former leader Jabulani Khumalo, and said the media should wait until the court has presented its ruling.
“It is unwise to comment on the allegations that have been leveled. We do not as a matter of principle comment on issues that still await adjudication,” he said.
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