A fresh twist has emerged in the battle for control of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in Mpumalanga, with convener Mary Phadi declaring that she and her team enjoy the explicit blessing of party president Jacob Zuma.
Speaking during a tightly controlled media briefing in Mbombela on Tuesday, Phadi told journalists that Zuma had met with them in recent weeks and instructed them to continue their work in the province.
“We want to assure the province about the ongoing work being done by this leadership. President Jacob Zuma has said to us we must go and work, and that’s what we are doing,” said Phadi.
She was flanked by provincial coordinator Dan Nhlapo and other allies. The group broke into a spirited rendition of Awuleth’ uMkhonto wami – a reworked version of Zuma’s famous Mshini Wami war cry.
Party in turmoil?
The briefing was aimed at easing tensions between Phadi and former Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
The MKP had previously announced Mkhwebane as the new provincial coordinator, fuelling confusion and divisions in the provincial structure.
Phadi insists that the structure inaugurated in June 2023 remains intact and functional. “There is a difference between being announced and being appointed,” she said. “Mkhwebane was announced, but we’ve never seen her appointment letter.”
Nhlapo threw his full support behind Phadi, describing her as the most competent leader for the province.
“She has the muscle to challenge the male-dominated trucking industry,” he said. “If she can lead there, what more do you want from such a leader?”
No provincial secretary
Phadi also disclosed that Zuma had held off the launch of the party’s provincial secretary-general’s office (SGO). This was due to Mpumalanga’s “political complexity.”
“At the moment, the SGO is on hold because President [Zuma], four or five weeks ago, when we were sitting in this room, he said, ‘Mpumalanga is a province that is very difficult politically’. He gave us his experience from Mozambique and the comrades, and how their issues were resolved.
“He mentioned all the comrades of the ANC that we know. And he said, ‘Because of the complexity of the province, I will come and engage with you’. So, the office of the SGO doesn’t fit anywhere when it comes to Mpumalanga as a province. We are still the leadership that you know, and we are going to work,” she said.
Phadi disclosed that the party purchased a R1,6-million truck for the 2026 local government elections campaign. She announced that the MKP’s provincial offices will open next week to receive members and issue membership forms to recruits.
