Floyd Shivambu, the former secretary-general of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the former deputy president of the EFF, has been accused of writing the founding documents of MKP. However, Lucky Montana, a member of parliament for the MKP, has come out in strong support of Shivambu, refuting these allegations.
Montana stated in an exclusive interview that Shivambu is a friend to him and “more than a brother,” but he emphasised that it would be inaccurate and deceptive to attribute the intellectual groundwork of the MK Party to Shivambu.
Montana stated that there is no factual basis for the claim that Floyd was the author of any important documents for the MKP. “The MKP had already been founded and had three documents that were the subject of active discussion by the time that he became a member.”
The period of the party’s formation, which preceded Shivambu’s official admission into the party, was characterised by vigorous internal discussions that addressed the direction of policy and ideological standing, according to Montana. He claims that the presence of Shivambu enhanced the movement, but it did not determine the base on which the movement was built.
Montana went on to say, “Floyd has fulfilled his duties as Secretary-General by contributing to the improvement of some of these documents.” “However, it must be apparent that the MKP’s principles, vision, and strategic framework had already been established by dedicated cadres prior to his participation.”
Floyd Shivambo is a friend & more than a brother to me. But there’s no factual basis to the notion he wrote key documents for the MKP. By the time he joined, MKP had already developed and was debating 3 Founding Documents. As SG, Floyd played his role in enhancing some of these. https://t.co/wjelJ7e7zN
— Lucky Montana (@LuckyMontana_MP) September 7, 2025
The comments were made in the context of increasing speculation in political circles that the influence of Shivambu within MKP is far more extensive than his administrative portfolio would suggest. Critics have suggested that Shivambu was the author or the one who altered a significant portion of the intellectual foundation of the party. It seems like Montana’s intervention is intended to achieve a dual purpose: to safeguard the credibility of Shivambu and to reassert the common intellectual underpinning of the party.
The remark is also intended to dispel any notion that MKP’s identity is borrowed or influenced by other sources, particularly in light of Shivambu’s prominent political history with the EFF, according to analysts. Montana emphasised the notion that the MK Party’s origins are thoroughly independent and conceived from inside by distancing him from exclusive authorship.
The comments made by Montana bring attention to a wider initiative that is underway within MKP, which is to emphasise unity, continuity, and shared responsibility in determining its political future. Montana expressed appreciation for the efforts that Shivambu made since gaining office as Secretary-General. However, Montana maintained that the party should be viewed as the result of a common fight and vision rather than as the labour of a single individual.
Montana stated, “Floyd is a committed leader who has improved our procedures.” “However, the MK Party is the product of the efforts of many, and its foundation is owed to every single person who fought to bring it into existence.”
