Thank you very much, Cde Nolubabalo Mcinga, who has volunteered to assist us with this process. We also acknowledge the President of Maanda Ashu Workers Union of South Africa (MAWUSA), an organisation I volunteer with, a union that organises workers, including community workers and those under the Expanded Public Works Programme. I would also like to acknowledge the leadership present here today. I’m not sure if I should mention them by name, but among us is the former Treasurer-General of uMKhonto weSizwe (MK), Menzi Magubane; Comrade Mahlanga; National Organiser Musa Novela; and the former Provincial Convenor of Mpumalanga prior to the national elections, Pro Khoza, not to be confused with those appointed post-election. Members of the media and the people of South Africa, we extend revolutionary greetings to all, including Black people across the African continent and diaspora. We have convened this press conference to address recent political developments concerning the roles we play in uMKhonto weSizwe.
TERMINATION OF MY ROLE AS SECRETARY-GENERAL
On 3 June 2025, the leadership of uMKhonto weSizwe convened a National Officials meeting, where it was decided to discontinue my role as Secretary-General. At the same time, it was announced that I would be deployed to the National Assembly as part of the Parliamentary Caucus. The principle announced publicly was that no leader or member should disclose the reasons for this decision. However, others have begun speaking— often distorting the facts, so as a disciplined member, I believe it necessary to set the record straight on the reasons I was given for my redeployment. The reason provided was that I allegedly sought to overthrow President Jacob Zuma as President of uMKhonto weSizwe. It was said that all the structural work and leadership identification I was conducting was part of a plan to remove him. To support this, a bizarre and entirely false intelligence report was tabled, alleging that I was raising money and acquiring supernatural powers to make people disappear, supposedly so I could assume the presidency of MK. This included allegations of a severed head being passed to someone for rituals. We rejected these claims with absolute contempt. I even offered to hand over my phone, stating: “Check not only the supposed messages about President Zuma, but all my communications. I have nothing to hide.” I have always maintained the principle that there is nothing I do privately that I cannot defend publicly, this includes my personal life. Despite these ridiculous claims, I accepted my redeployment to Parliament in good faith, even though it was clouded by allegations that I was plotting to ‘make people disappear’ to take over MK leadership. In a subsequent meeting, another fake report was presented—this one alleging that I had stated in WhatsApp messages that I would use Parliament to take over the party and that I was backed financially by Stellenbosch. It was claimed that this move was to position me closer to power. As a result, a letter recommending my expulsion was drafted and placed in the President’s briefcase. He reportedly said he would dispatch it at his discretion.
THE SOURCE OF THESE ALLEGATIONS
I say this with the deepest respect for President Zuma: he is surrounded by political scoundrels who manipulate his kindness, and, at times, the vulnerability that comes with age—by producing fake intelligence reports to mislead him. Their motivation? They want to steal from uMKhonto weSizwe and are doing so now. Currently, more than R7 million is being withdrawn from the organization’s coffers each month—illegally. This is what is creating division within the party. We raised this internally and cautioned that such conduct would risk the party being deregistered. These are not mere suspicions, they are facts we can prove beyond any reasonable doubt. When we raised these matters, the Treasurer-General was removed. There is no record of voluntary resignations. All were removed to protect those enabling the theft of party funds. The scoundrels around the President are being allowed to loot the organisation.
REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP AND INTERNAL CRISIS
I carried out my duties as Secretary-General with the utmost respect and humility. As part of the collective leadership, I helped draft the Constitution and other foundational documents of MK. We institutionalised the MK Women’s League, Youth League, Students’ Movement, and the MK Interreligious Movement. These were previously fragmented as separate religious and cultural organisations but were united under one banner. We formalised partnerships between MK and the Progressive Civic Congress, as well as MK Professionals. MK Medics, a group of health practitioners, has done commendable work providing community health services. I raised in the National Officials meeting that, in December 2024, a draft statement had already been prepared to remove me on the claim that I was about to launch a political party with Tokyo Sexwale and Lindiwe Sisulu, two individuals I have never even spoken to about such matters. That document was shared with me as proof of intent to remove me. In this environment, every action becomes a problem. Whether I sit, stand, arrive, or leave, everything is framed suspiciously because of those with malicious intent surrounding the President. I have tremendous respect for President Zuma. In the brief period, we worked closely, I learned more than I did in ten years of serving in the EFF. My understanding of real politics, both domestic and global, deepened immensely. I would never betray President Zuma or his politics. I joined uMKhonto weSizwe because I believed it was essential to preserve the political legacy and ideological character of President Zuma, not to see it manipulated by those writing fake intelligence reports to suit selfish agendas. Since My Removal Since the decision to remove me as Secretary-General was taken, I have been approached by many ordinary South Africans from all corners of the country. Numerous comrades— from uMKhonto weSizwe, the ANC, and the EFF, have asked: What do we do moving forward? I explained to them the developments that led to this point. A substantial number of them advised, “Do not ever consider joining the ANC,” and I fully agree. I will never join the ANC. It is directionless, does not know what it is doing, and collaborates with the white capitalist system. Others said, “Do not ever rejoin the Economic Freedom Fighters,” because it is a cult— and again, I agree. There is no space for sound ideological reasoning, and no self-respecting person can join either the ANC or the EFF. I fully agree with that sentiment. Some also expressed concerns about uMKhonto weSizwe itself, saying the organisation appears to be run by a family, is inconsistent in discipline, directionless at times, and prone to conservative and reactionary positions. I explained that one of the reasons I joined uMKhonto weSizwe was precisely because, from a distance, I could see the danger of allowing a political organisation in South Africa to degenerate into a tribal or regional formation with such influence. Instead of throwing insults at it from the outside, I chose to help shape its ideological direction and political character, and I believe we succeeded to a large extent. There are several observations about the organisation, some correct, others I will reserve. I will not abuse the fact that I held a senior position with access to nearly every development within MK. Those who wish to hear my views privately are welcome to do so. But I will never use my former role to denigrate the organisation. I said the same when I left the EFF: I would never speak badly about it, and I didn’t. I will never demonise MK or its perspectives. Reflections on a New Political Movement Among those who approached me, some proposed the formation of a new political party or movement to contest the 2026 and 2029 elections. My view is that a political party must never be founded by an individual. In response to these initial proposals, I said: Let us not form a political party. Let us engage from within the existing parties. However, if we are to form a political party, we must first consult the people of South Africa and ask them: Do you want a new political party? A political party must never be a group of friends’ project or an individual’s ambition. It must not be a family project. It must not be a tribal or ethnic project. In today’s South Africa, a political party must not be regional or provincial. It must never become a platform for self-enrichment, a personal fiefdom, or a cult. If anything, a bold political party should be a fighting instrument for the people of South Africa. It must espouse the principles of democracy and ensure democratic consultation in decision-making. It must be transparent and accountable in its work. So, to those comrades who proposed forming a new party, I said: We cannot make that decision alone. Let us take it to the people of South Africa. Consultation on a New Political Movement Today, we announce that we will begin consulting the people of South Africa on the formation of a political movement, one that will truly represent the people. It will not be a personal project, a clique of friends, a cult, or a fiefdom.
Over the coming months, we will consult: • Traditional leaders, • Church and religious leaders across various institutions, • All expressions of the Zion Christian Church, Nazareth Baptist Church, IPCC, Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity, Bantu Church of Christ, and Charismatic churches. We will also seek the insights of influential individuals and public figures such as: • Pastor Mathebula, • Archbishop Zondo, • Pastor Malumane, • Pastor Mosa Sono, • Pastor Gate Kosa, • Bishop Don Phillips, • Dr. Irvin Khoza, • Dr. Patrice Motsepe, • Dr. Kaizer Motaung, • Dr. Danny Jordaan. We will ask: 1. Is there a need to form a new political party? 2. If yes, what should its values and principles be? 3. What should distinguish it from existing political parties? 4. How should such a party be funded?
These are the questions we will be asking communities and stakeholders across South Africa. Historical Context and Personal Experience This is not the first time I’ve been part of such a process. As a leader of the ANC Youth League, having spent five years in its national leadership, I strongly believed there was a suppression of the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime. In 2012, while still a member of the ANC, I began to publicly write that the struggle for economic freedom might need to exist outside of the ANC. In March 2013, I wrote a detailed perspective on why a new political party should be formed—this later became the foundation of the EFF’s founding manifesto. Everyone who joined thereafter aligned with that perspective. Of course, we later had to end our association with the EFF for various reasons—some of which, if spoken about publicly, would cause collateral damage to families and individuals because they pertain to personal character.
Those are matters best left unspoken. Planned Consultations Across the Country We will visit all regions of South Africa to consult the people. In KwaZulu-Natal, we will go to: • uMkhanyakude, • Zululand, • iLembe, • Ugu (Lower South Coast), • eThekwini, • Amajuba, • uMzinyathi, • uThukela, • uMgungundlovu, • King Cetshwayo, • Harry Gwala. In the Eastern Cape, we will begin in: • Joe Gqabi region (Komani and Chris Hani), • OR Tambo (Mthatha), • Alfred Nzo (Mount Frere), • Amathole (including Mbhashe, Nqgusha, and Nqguma), • Buffalo City (including Duncan Village), • Sarah Baartman (including municipalities like Blue Crane and towns like Cookhouse, Sunday’s River, Ndlambe), • Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. In the North West, we will consult with municipalities named after: • Dr. Ngaka Modiri Molema, • Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, • Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, • Bojanala District.
We’ll be speaking to all the people of the Northern Cape, in Francis Baard, in one of the most underdeveloped regions, Pixley ka Seme. We will be engaging with communities in ZF Mgcawu and Namakwa, as well as those in the John Taole Gaetsewe region, which continues to face intense super-exploitation by those operating its mineral resources. Here in Gauteng Province, we will be speaking to the people of Johannesburg, which is currently facing a dysfunctional municipality. We will also consult with the people of Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, West Rand, and Tshwane. In the Free State, we will engage with communities in Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Mangaung, Thabo Mofutsanyane, and Xhariep — where all three municipalities are severely dysfunctional. In the Western Cape, we will speak to residents in the Cape Metro, Southern Cape, Cape Winelands, West Coast, Central Karoo, and Overberg regions. Limpopo was already engaged, particularly in the Xitsonga-speaking areas.
CONCLUSION
I’m not mentioning these areas because I read about them somewhere — there is no area in South Africa where I have not done political work. None. I have never been a political tourist. I went into each of these places to do the actual work. I know and understand the dynamics of every district in this country. I have done political work in all corners of South Africa. I also forgot to mention Mpumalanga earlier. I worked in Mpumalanga for the longest time — from Ehlanzeni to Bushbuckridge, Thaba Chweu, Mbombela, and Nkomazi, the four municipalities. In Nkangala, we will have deeper consultations in the district named after Gert Shadrack Sibanda. We will pick up the spear left behind by Comrade Treasure Thabethe in uMKhonto, and we will continue to fight the battles of the people of uMKhonto and Dipaleseng. So, ladies and gentlemen, people of South Africa, we are here today to announce a process that will engage all South Africans with the aim of potentially establishing a political party if the people say it must be done. We do not want this to be a personal project or a project of friends. It must be a party owned by the people of South Africa. That is the purpose of this press conference, to communicate this vision. We will go to the ground and speak directly to the people. We will engage young people via social media and other media platforms. We will soon provide the specific channels and platforms through which engagements will happen. Next week, we will announce the leadership core that will be responsible for driving the consultation process. That leadership will be drawn from all nine provinces of South Africa and will be properly gender-balanced, not just a group of men or boys. It will include a combination of diverse skills and capacities, enabling us to listen more attentively to the voices of all South Africans. We thank you very much for attending this otherwise intimate briefing on the way forward.
Bongi Sikelo 