Shivambu vows ‘diligence and unity’ in new role as MK Party secretary-general

Cape Town – Newly appointed secretary-general (SG) of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Floyd Shivambu has expressed gratitude and commitment to his new role.

Shivambu was appointed the new SG on Sunday, taking over from Dr Sifiso Maseko, who stepped down to return to his role at the Gauteng Department of Health.

Maseko, previously suspended with full pay in 2022 due to a Special Investigating Unit report, will remain part of MKP’s National High Command, the party’s top decision-making body.

MKP president Jacob Zuma appointed Shivambu, who joined the party three months ago after leaving his position as deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

In a statement, Shivambu emphasised his dedication to serving South Africa and the African continent with “diligence, discipline, honesty, and respect,” while aiming to unite anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, and anti-racist forces for total liberation.

“It is a great honour and brings a deep sense of humility to be shown and given utmost confidence by President Jacob Zuma to play an important role of secretary general of the MK Party, which is the official opposition in South Africa’s Parliament, largest political part in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and represented in seven of South Africa’s nine Provincial Legislatures.

We welcome the responsibility of Secretary General with utmost humility Comrade President JG Zuma! We commit that we will work with optimal dedication, focus, respect, ideological and political clarity, and towards unity of all the progressive forces!!

We commit to the… pic.twitter.com/mV8h64Ahnr

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) November 10, 2024

“We will serve the organisation, the people of South Africa, the entire African continent, Africans in the diaspora and the progressive world with utmost diligence, discipline, honesty, hard work and respect. In line with the Constitution of the MK Party, we will relate with everyone with utmost honesty and respect irrespective of their social status, religious beliefs, race, gender, age, and political affiliation.

“We will always act within the collective mandate, and will democratically and organically relate with all members and structures of the MK Party, the people of South Africa, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Political Party leaders, youth, students and all other people,” he said.

Shivambu praised his predecessor, Maseko, acknowledging his ongoing role in the MK Party’s National High Command.

He also pledged to engage with the public directly, promising that the MK Party would strive for strong electoral success and work towards a government that responds effectively to citizens’ needs.