Latest news with #Mfeka
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Phumlani Mfeka emerges as front-runner for MKP Secretary-General position
Phumlani Mfeka is tipped to replace Floyd Shivambu as a new MKP Secretary-General. Image: Supplied As speculations gather momentum on who the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) supreme commander Jacob Zuma was considering to appoint as the new party Secretary-General following the axing of Floyd Shivambu, Phumlani Mfeka has emerged as the front runner for the position. The position became vacant after the party axed Shivambu on Tuesday following his unsanctioned trip to Malawi, where he attended a church service of a fugitive pastor, Shepherd Bushiri, who skipped bail in South Africa in 2020. Mfeka, the leader of socio-economic group Injeje yaBenguni, which advocates for African nationalism, was expected to hold a meeting with Zuma in Durban on Thursday. Sources within the party said the discussion will be followed by Mfeka's announcement as the new Secretary-General. Mfeka commands a lot of support from traditional leaders, something that Zuma regards as an important constituency for his party. Mfeka confirmed earlier on Thursday that he would meet Zuma in Durban but refused to be drawn on what they would discuss in their meeting, saying it was a private meeting between himself and the party leader. Mfeka's name had always been mentioned as a possible successor to Shivambu after rumours of his (Shivambu's) future in the position started circulating. The rumours were fueled by Shivambu's fallout with Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who publicly insulted him and questioned his leadership, as well as Mfeka himself, who, when resigning as both a party member and a member in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, cited issues with Shivambu as one of the reasons. Other names that emerged on Tuesday after Shivambu's fall were former ActionSA member and founder of Xiluba Party, Bongani Baloyi, who joined the MKP in September last year, and Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. However, sources in the party said Zuma will opt for Mfeka because of his support among traditional leaders and traditionalists, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, which is the party's stronghold. It is believed that Zuma convinced Mfeka to return to the MK Party because he (Zuma) felt he needed Mfeka and his constituency in the party. Mfeka has been Zuma's strong backer before the founding of the MK Party and immediately joined after it was launched in 2023. He was on the national list to parliament during last year's general elections, however, he was deployed to serve in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and sat in various portfolio committees. He was among the dissenting voices within the party who were unhappy that senior positions were given to the newcomers while overlooking the founding members. If Mfeka gets appointed, he will be the fourth person to hold the secretary-general position in the party after Arthur Zwane, Sihle Ngubane, and Shivambu. [email protected].
TimesLIVE
19-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Mfeka does U-turn on his resignation from MK Party
The leader of KwaZulu-Natal-based pan-Africanist civic group Injeje yabeNguni, induna Phumlani Mfeka, who resigned from the MK Party in February, has rejoined the party with immediate effect. In a letter dated May 18, addressed to the party provincial convener Willies Mchunu, firebrand Mfeka said: 'I write to inform you of my decision to rejoin the MK Party with immediate effect. 'This decision follows lengthy discussions that culminated in the rekindling of my belief in MK Party as a liberation movement more than as just another political party.' He said amakhosi and traditional healers had played 'a portentous role' in his decision. 'I will remain an awe of the wisdom of the supreme commander president Jacob Zuma and committed to his agenda of realising the total liberation of our people in this lifetime,' he added. Mfeka, one of the founding members of the MK Party, was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature when he resigned. He brought a strong amakhosi constituency to the MK Party. When he resigned he said he had lost confidence in Zuma saying the MK Party had moved away from its core values, which led to its formation. His return to the party followed hot on the heels of Zuma's eldest son, Edward, joining the party at the weekend. Edward was unveiled in a media briefing held at Mzala Nxumalo region. Mfeka and Edward worked together at Mayibuye business forum. Sources close to Mfeka indicated that one of the reasons for his resignation in February was Zuma's decision to promote newcomers to senior positions in the party. In addition, there were reports of alleged disrespect towards amakhosi during the party's first anniversary celebration at Moses Mabhida Stadium in December, where they were allegedly allocated seats in an area that exposed them to the sun.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Phumlani Mfeka's returns to the MK Party spark talk of leadership shake-up
The leader of INjeje YabeNguni Council, Induna Phumlani Mfeka, rejoined the fold of the MK Party. Image: Supplied THE return of Phumlani Mfeka to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has reignited speculations of a possible reshuffle in the party's key structures – including its highest National High Command (NHC). The outspoken leader of the cultural lobby group INjeje YabeNguni Council, made a U-turn after dumping the party in February, making serious allegations against some senior party leaders and the alleged sidelining of the core constituency, which was traditional leaders, including Izinduna and Amakhosi. The decision to return to MKP, which Mfeka once served as its member of the provincial legislature (MPL) in KwaZulu-Natal, came after a meeting with the party leader and former president Jacob Zuma in his Nkandla homestead, on Sunday. During his candid interview with the Daily News on Monday, Mfeka described what he dubbed his homecoming as 'heartwarming and uplifting'. 'My decision to return home has long been coming. There have been many meetings between myself and some party leaders who wanted me back into the fold. It feels good to be home once again,' he said. 'I have received a lot of messages from many people inside the party who have expressed their happiness at my return to the party,' said Mfeka. Mfeka, who is deep-rooted in culture, vowed to continue his internal fight against the sidelining of the traditional leaders in the MKP. 'I am very confident the issue of the sidelining of the traditional leaders in the MKP will be fixed. That is my core constituency and I will continue to fight against any plans to sidelining it,' remarked Mfeka. 'I am just an ordinary member of the party, at this stage,' he said. Mfeka was among the people who publicly spoke out against the alleged MKP's takeover by people who had joined the party after the May elections. This, they alleged, was a ploy hatched by the EFF led by Julius Malema to destroy the MKP from within. This is after the party raked in 58 seats in the National Assembly, which has 400, and 37 in the KZN provincial legislature, with 80 seats. This is the same view held by Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who once nicknamed the group oMafikizolo, which when loosely translated means late bloomers. Among the EFF members who crossed the political floor was Floyd Shivambu, who is currently occupying the powerful secretary-general position. Other notable names who ditched the EFF for the MKP, were Advocate Dali Mpofu, former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Mzwanele Manyi. Mfeka told the Daily News that as he rejoined the MKP, his focus will be to work to attract more voters to the party ahead of the local government elections which will happen next year. He expressed deep and unwavering support for the party and Zuma. 'MK Party is my home. I still wish the best for the best and for our president Nxamalala (Zuma's clan name).' DAILY NEWS
