South Africa’s foreign policy direction has come under fire from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, with Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu launching a scathing critique of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to invite Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy for an official visit. The former liberation movement-turned-political party has framed the move as a dangerous pivot toward Western imperialism.
In a blistering statement circulated across social media platforms, Shivambu denounced what he called “Ramaphosa’s shameful embrace of a Western puppet,” declaring: “This invitation represents a complete surrender to European imperialist agendas. Instead of maintaining our principled non-alignment, our government is now rolling out the red carpet for a participant in NATO’s proxy war.”
The controversy erupts as South Africa prepares to host the BRICS summit, where its delicate balancing act between Western powers and the Global South faces renewed scrutiny. The MK Party, which maintains close ideological ties to Russia and China, views the Zelenskyy invitation as undermining Pretoria’s traditional role as an independent voice in global affairs.
“Where is the invitation to Palestinian leaders facing genocide?” Shivambu questioned. “Why are we prioritizing European conflicts over African crises in Sudan, Congo or Western Sahara? This government has lost its moral compass.”
The party’s condemnation reflects growing unease among South Africa’s radical left about perceived Western influence on ANC foreign policy. Political analysts note the MK Party is positioning itself as the guardian of authentic anti-imperialism, capitalizing on frustrations among the ANC’s traditional base.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya defended the decision, stating: “South Africa engages with all conflict parties to promote peace. Our balanced approach allows us to contribute meaningfully to conflict resolution.” However, this explanation has done little to assuage critics.
The diplomatic row comes at a sensitive time for Ramaphosa’s administration, which recently faced criticism for its International Criminal Court stance regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin. With the MK Party vowing to mobilize public protests against Zelenskyy’s visit, the controversy threatens to overshadow South Africa’s hosting of the BRICS summit and further strain relations within the ruling tripartite alliance.
As the debate intensifies, the MK Party has called for an emergency parliamentary debate on South Africa’s foreign policy direction, signaling its intent to make this a defining issue ahead of the 2026 local elections. The confrontation highlights deepening ideological rifts in South African politics, with the MK Party increasingly asserting itself as the standard-bearer of radical pan-Africanism.