Floyd Shivambu uses Africa Day message to take aim at Ramaphosa following White House meeting
MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct during a US visit.
Image: Siphiwe Emacous Moyo/Independent Newspapers
uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling his recent visit to the United States with President Donald Trump an 'embarrassment'. Shivambu further accused Ramaphosa of 'begging' for help combating crime in South Africa.
Speaking during Africa Day celebrations in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday, Shivambu lambasted Ramaphosa for what he described as a display of 'colonial mannerisms' during the bilateral meeting.
'We are here to beg you; you must come and fight crime for us. We are even offering our rare minerals,' said Shivambu.
'You could see him, 'No boss, we are tiny. (referring to Ramaphosa) We appreciate you. We are nothing without you.''
Ramaphosa's visit to Washington comes amid strained relations between South Africa and the United States, which worsened during Trump's second term.
Tensions flared over US criticism of South Africa's land reform policy, with Trump accusing the country of seizing land from white Afrikaner farmers, a claim the South African government has repeatedly denied.
Relations further deteriorated after the US government cut HIV and AIDS funding to South Africa and recently granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, citing racial discrimination, another claim the South African government rejects.
Ramaphosa was accompanied by several high-profile figures, including Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Minister of Agriculture and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen.
Business leaders and athletes such as professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert, also joined the delegation.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Shivambu slammed the inclusion of Els in the discussions, saying that he 'thanked America for helping fight in Angola in the 1980s,' referring to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
He further argued the battle was a turning point in South Africa's liberation struggle and credited Cuban and Soviet forces with pressuring the apartheid regime into negotiations.
'The apartheid government was assisted by the United States of America,' Shivambu said.
'But in that room, our delegation says, 'Thank you for fighting against freedom.' Ramaphosa says nothing.'
He accused the African National Congress (ANC) of betraying its liberation legacy and acting as a 'stooge' of neocolonial and apartheid interests.
'President Zuma (MK Party leader) was correct,' he said.
'Ramaphosa is nothing but a puppet of neocolonial and apartheid forces. The ANC is captured.'
Shivambu said that MK Party is the only remaining 'dependable vehicle' for black South Africans to reclaim full freedom.
'It doesn't matter what age I am,' he added.
'Let's constitute ourselves as Umkhonto weSizwe to fight for our total freedom.'
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Broos must use these friendlies to decide Bafana Bafan's No 2
Bafana will play Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday at 7.30pm and follow up with neighbours Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday night. WHILE it may go a long way to calming nerves for Bafana Bafana debutants, coach Hugo Broos' statement about giving all the players some minutes in the upcoming friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, must not apply to goalkeepers. Congratulations to Nkosinathi Sibisi, who has been named Bafana Bafana captain for the next two matches 👏 Back to Broos' squad, which is cautiously missing Mamelodi Sundowns players as they are preparing for the 2025 Fifa Club World to be played in the US from the 17th, there are three goalkeepers competing to start in the two friendlies - Orlando Pirates' Sipho Chaine, Sekhukhune United's Renaldo Leaner and SuperSport United's Ricardo Goss. These matches should not be confused with those of the A-side, also formerly known as Ama-Binneplaas, which is competing in the Cosafa Cup against Mozambique on Wednesday afternoon, Zimbabwe on Saturday and Mauritius on Tuesday. This is Bafana Bafana. They represent South Africa, and whenever they play, we as South Africans are always fully behind them….. With Ronwen Williams on Club World Cup duty, the door is open for these goalkeepers to elevate themselves to the national team's trusted number two shot stopper. But with the Belgian mentor quoted this week saying: 'It is a great opportunity for the new players and also the young ones, there is no pressure. We are playing friendly matches, so the results are not that important. From my side, I will give every player the same playing time.' Therein lies the problem. This approach will not help the coach and his technical team in zoning into who should be Williams official lieutenant. A good thing is that he himself, Broos understands this approach is quite tricky with goalkeepers, as he continued to say: 'It is a little bit difficult for goalkeepers, but even for them, we will try every keeper to play the same minutes and have a good camp.' A free piece of advice to Broos is that he must not attempt this 'giving every player the same playing time' when it comes to goalkeepers. They must compete for the jersey and the best one of the bunch should start the first match, hands down. There is a downside to letting players know that they share playing time; no one will ascend the top spot. Yes from a common sense point of view, Chaine is supposedly the deputy to Williams currently, simply because of his performances with Pirates and his travels in the Caf Champions League. But the 28-year-old has actually only played one match out of his eight in the Bafana matchday squad. Goss on the other hand, has more experience with the national side, considering that he has even played in the Cosafa Cup and was part of the age group sides as a youngster. So, as much as there is not so much of a debate as to who is the better performing shot stopper between Goss and Chaine at the moment, competition for Williams' deputy is still very much wide open and giving out caps like Christmas presents will not help the Bafana cause. Having a settled and trusted number two will help even Williams to up his game, or better yet, it will prevent head-scratching during those times when he is not available for unavoidable reasons such as injuries. Broos must just have balls and start whoever shows more hunger among the three.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Renowned South African photographer and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard dies at 74
Acclaimed activist and photojournalist Rashid Lombard has died Image: Phando Jikelo The South African cultural landscape has lost one of its most revered figures. Rashid Lombard, an acclaimed photographer, cultural activist, and jazz promoter, passed away today at the age of 74, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on 10 April 1951 in North End, Gqeberha, Rashid's family moved to Cape Town in 1962. Initially trained as an architectural draftsman and later as an industrial photographer, he began his career at the construction giant Murray & Roberts. His passion for photography, however, took command, propelling him into a life that would ultimately capture the essence of South Africa through his lens. In 1970, Rashid married his childhood sweetheart, Colleen Rayson, with whom he had three children: Chevan, Shadley, and Yana. Growing up in the Eastern Cape, he was exposed to a harmonious community that was tragically torn apart by apartheid. This early experience ignited a political consciousness that was further fuelled by the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) in his adult life. During the tumultuous years of the anti-apartheid struggle, Rashid worked as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist, capturing moments of unrest, resilience, and hope for international media including Agence France-Presse, the BBC, and NBC. His work immortalised pivotal events in South Africa's transition to democracy, from the rise of the democratic movement in the 1980s to Nelson Mandela's historic release in 1990 and the first democratic elections in 1994. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ With the dawn of democracy came Rashid's opportunity to fully embrace another of his great passions: jazz. He served as the station manager at Fine Music Radio and later as the programming manager at P4 Smooth Jazz Radio Image: Phando Jikelo With the dawn of democracy came Rashid's opportunity to fully embrace another of his great passions: jazz. He served as the station manager at Fine Music Radio and later as the programming manager at P4 Smooth Jazz Radio. In 1997, he founded espAfrika, which orchestrated one of his most notable accomplishments: the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Launched in 2000, he directed the festival until his retirement in 2014, leaving a profound influence on South Africa's jazz scene and its global recognition. After stepping away from the festival, Rashid dedicated time to digitising his extensive archives, a task previously overseen by Colleen. Partnering with the National Archives and the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), he aimed to make his vast collection publicly accessible as a national heritage resource. This important work will now be carried forward by his daughter, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. A gifted visual storyteller, Rashid published 'Jazz Rocks' in 2010, edited by the late George Hallett, which encapsulates his profound connection with jazz and its musicians.
The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
'Zuma usleg': Mbalula on Shivambu's removal as MK Party secretary-general
Mbalula previously said Shivambu would not last in the MK Party, predicting he would probably suffer from a 'cabinet reshuffle'. He mocked Shivambu's decision to leave the EFF for the MK Party. 'I heard Floyd Shivambu said he won't come to the ANC because I don't want him. I don't know Floyd, I only know him through [EFF leader] Julius Malema's introductions. Please pray for Shivambu. I don't believe he will last a year in Jacob Zuma's MK Party.' Social media users have shared their thoughts on Shivambu's removal. Media personality Dan Corder drew parallels between Shivambu's story and that of Icarus, known for his tragic story in Greek mythology. 'Floyd Shivambu is the story of Icarus. Icarus made wings of feathers and wax so he could fly. This made him think he was more powerful than he was. He flew too high, too close to the sun, though everyone warned him not to,' he said. Former ANC councillor Andile Lungisa expressed support for Shivambu. 'We feel your pain, Shivambu. We know that deep down this decision must be deeply painful for you. As one of those who served with you in the ANCYL 2008 generation, I say this without fear of contradiction: we will never desert you,' he said. Here are more reactions:
