Johannesburg – Intense behind-the-scenes negotiations within the umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKP) have led to a surprising shift in the race to replace the recently departed secretary-general, Dr Sifiso Maseko. While former president Jacob Zuma initially favoured former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu for the role, his confidantes have successfully steered him towards veteran activist Ndumiso Matlala.
Maseko’s departure from the position on Wednesday, after weeks of speculation, created a power vacuum within the relatively young organisation, formed only last December. Party insiders had previously criticised Maseko for a perceived lack of clarity regarding the responsibilities of the secretary-general’s position. This vacuum prompted a flurry of lobbying, with several candidates vying for the powerful role.
Initially, Zuma reportedly proposed Shivambu, believing him to be the ideal candidate. However, this suggestion was met with resistance from within Zuma’s inner circle. A party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained the reasoning behind this decision.
This suggests that Shivambu’s strong performance in his current role influenced the decision to leave him in place. Furthermore, Sunday World reported that Shivambu himself expressed contentment with his current position.
This left the field open to other contenders, notably Matlala and former Transnet and Premier Soccer League (PSL) boss Joe Ndlela. While Ndlela initially enjoyed support from a parliamentary lobby group, his past controversies ultimately hampered his chances. A source within the MKP revealed that Ndlela’s “chequered history at PSL and his previous conviction for his alleged involvement in unlawful activities at Transnet worked against him.”
This source also indicated that Ndlela’s candidacy was championed by a lobby group in parliament, who put his name forward to the party’s parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe.
The selection process itself remained largely discreet. A select team within the MKP conducted interviews with both Matlala and Ndlela between late September and early October. The details surrounding Maseko's awareness of this process remain unclear, with only a select few close to Zuma reportedly privy to the confidential interviews. Matlala ultimately emerged as the preferred candidate.
Matlala’s profile suggests a strong fit for the role. “Matlala is an experienced activist who grew up in the ranks of the liberation movement from Cosas to the umkhonto we Sizwe military wing in exile,” a party source described.
The source further highlighted Matlala’s strengths: “He is well-studied; he listens; he is humble; he is articulate; and he is also smart.” This portrayal paints a picture of a seasoned and capable leader, well-suited to navigate the complexities of the secretary-general’s position.
Zuma’s initial plan to publicly announce Matlala’s appointment at a media briefing in October suggests a deliberate, if somewhat delayed, approach to the succession. If appointed, Matlala would become the MKP’s fifth secretary-general in the nine months since the party's formation.
