ANCYL President Collen Malatji
In a recent interview, ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji made it clear that the ANC does not need former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party’s secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, in its ranks. Malatji described Shivambu as “a small boy” without support and expressed a preference for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema instead.
Malatji’s comments came following reports that Shivambu might leave the MK party after being stripped of his position by MK leader Jacob Zuma due to an unauthorized trip to Malawi.
Speaking to the Mail & Guardian, Malatji stated, “I don’t want Floyd in the ANC; I want Julius. Floyd is a small boy and no one cares about him. Zuma realized it. There’s nobody following Floyd. He can do what he wants; he can form his own party. He hates the ANC and the ANC hates him. We don’t want Floyd in the ANC. The person we would welcome is Julius, not Floyd, because Julius has a base.”
Malatji went on to dismiss Shivambu’s political influence, claiming that he lacks a support base and is only known on social media. He also mentioned that even in Shivambu’s village, he is not a significant figure.
Despite plans to redeploy Shivambu to parliament, sources revealed that he declined the offer. “He’s not on the parliamentary list — unless it changes at the last minute,” one insider told the Mail & Guardian.
Shivambu’s recent trip to Malawi, attendance at a controversial church service, and allegations of being divisive and arrogant within the MK party have furthered the rift between him and party members.
During a speech to the Maanda-Ashu Workers Union of South Africa, Shivambu mentioned that since his removal from the MK post, he had no full-time responsibilities and was considering volunteer work for the organization across different regions of South Africa.
At an MK party rally in Durban, Zuma criticized members calling for Shivambu’s reinstatement, emphasizing the party’s commitment to discipline and unity.
Malatji highlighted Shivambu’s history of being expelled from various youth structures of the ANC and his transition to the EFF before defecting last year. He warned that if Shivambu were to rejoin the ANC, the party would not thrive.
Shivambu, who previously urged political parties to unite against the ANC in the 2024 elections, saw a decline in support for both the EFF and the ANC, leading to a government of national unity formation.
Malatji reiterated his stance on Shivambu, stating, “If he comes, he comes, but he’s not going to survive in the ANC. We don’t want people like him; we want people who are disciplined and not arrogant.”
