Dr Mgcini Tshwaku
By Thabo Mosia
Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, EFF Central Command Team (CCT) member and City of Joburg MMC for Public Safety, has delivered a scathing response to Floyd Shivambu’s recent claims of being the sole founder of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Tshwaku dismissed Shivambu’s statements as false and revisionist, emphasising the collective effort that went into building the party.
“The former what what just wants to trend. Let us not fall into his tricks. We know him, we have worked with him,” Tshwaku said in a recent interview. His comments come after Shivambu, now Secretary General of the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party, told villagers in Limpopo that he alone conceptualised and built the EFF.
Shivambu’s Controversial Claims: A One-Man Show?
Floyd Shivambu’s remarks, made during a Christmas lunch for the elderly in Mahonisi Village, have sparked heated debate. Shivambu asserted that he single-handedly formed the EFF, including designing its policies, selecting office locations, and overseeing its organisational structure.
“I formed the EFF alone. Others joined, including the one who is leading it now,” Shivambu claimed, referring to current EFF leader Julius Malema. His statements have drawn sharp criticism from EFF leaders and members, with many describing his narrative as both misleading and self-serving.
Tshwaku Sets the Record Straight
Dr Tshwaku firmly rebutted Shivambu’s claims, outlining his version of Shivambu’s role within the party. He painted a picture of Shivambu as disconnected from the grassroots work that built the EFF into a political force.
“All he did for ten years was come into meetings with an attitude, never greet anyone, insult people, and take reports. Then he would go and sleep in hotels while we were busy recruiting members and launching branches in harsh conditions,” Tshwaku said.
According to Tshwaku, Shivambu’s departure from the EFF was easy because “he never built it.” He accused Shivambu of relying on the work of others while projecting an image of intellectual superiority.
“Of course, he could memorise all our names, faces, municipalities, and data. But for the past 10 years, he never worked the ground; he was doing nothing! When he left the EFF, he left with his FEW like-minded individuals who don’t have an appreciation of the ground as well,” Tshwaku added.
The Collective Effort Behind the EFF’s Formation
The EFF was officially founded in 2013 by Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu, and other former ANC Youth League leaders. The party’s creation was a response to Malema’s expulsion from the ANC and aimed to establish a platform for radical economic transformation.
Records from the EFF’s early days document the collective effort involved in its formation. Malema, as Commander-in-Chief, and Mpho Ramakatsa, the National Coordinator, worked alongside Shivambu and other members of the Central Command Team to lay the party’s foundation. These accounts directly contradict Shivambu’s claim of being the sole founder.
Tshwaku stressed that the EFF was conceptualised and built by its members, not a single individual. “We built this EFF; it was conceptualised by its members and built. For him to abandon it was easy because he never built it,” he said.
Reactions from Within the EFF
Shivambu’s claims have not gone unnoticed within the EFF. Anthony Matumba, another CCT member, described Shivambu’s statements as “bitter” and revisionist.
“I didn’t know that Floyd Shivambu is this bitter in his heart until I watched this video,” Matumba said. He likened Shivambu’s comments to those of past defectors who attempted to rewrite the party’s history after leaving.
Tshwaku’s critique reflects broader sentiments within the EFF, where loyalty to Julius Malema remains strong. Many within the party see Shivambu’s remarks as an attempt to undermine Malema’s leadership and elevate his own political legacy.
Social Media Erupts with Debate
Social media platforms have become a battleground for the dispute. Political analysts, EFF supporters, and ordinary citizens have weighed in, with many ridiculing Shivambu’s claims.
“Floyd Shivambu is really funny, hey. A re he recruited Julius Malema to join the EFF. This has to be the joke of the year,” tweeted Edgar Legoale, a prominent commentator.
Another user, Indibali, highlighted inconsistencies in Shivambu’s statements. “The founding documents don’t agree with him. Remember, on the 23rd of December 2020, Floyd Shivambu gave an online lecture on the History and Foundation of the EFF. At no point did he say he single-handedly formed the EFF,” the user wrote.
EFF’s Legacy and Leadership Dynamics
The controversy surrounding Shivambu’s claims highlights the challenges of managing leadership dynamics within the EFF. As a young and rapidly growing political movement, the EFF has faced its share of internal disputes and external critiques. However, the party’s focus has remained on its core objectives of economic transformation and social justice.
Dr Tshwaku’s comments underscore the collective effort that has driven the EFF’s success. “All the information he will recite and be labelled as an intellectual came from the back office, which was us. He was just a mouthpiece,” Tshwaku said.
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