The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) is pondering who will succeed axed secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, with the names of former DA Midvaal mayor, Bongani Baloyi and Phumlani Mfeka emerging as contenders. Zuma fired Shivambu last week, claiming that he had broken the party's constitution by traveling to Malawi without permission and attending a church service led by Shepherd Bushiri, a self-proclaimed prophet.

"Baloyi represents a different dynamic, which would mix things up instead of choosing someone who may be seen as representing a particular province or group,” a source said. He claimed that Shivambu was Zuma's first choice because he represented the Limpopo province, where the MK Party performed fairly well in the elections held the previous year. Baloyi stated when he joined the MKP that his supporters supported their decision to join. Baloyi stated, "The people have expressed themselves." "Why should we keep going? We are coming here (MKP) to say we are humbling ourselves as the leadership, we are closing our organisation. For us, we have found a home.

Umkhonto resonates with us and Umkhonto and Xiluva are the same thing,” Baloyi had said. While Baloyi's name is being touted as a potential candidate, other names are also being considered for the position. Phumlani Mfeka, another strong contender, is said to have the support of traditional leaders and traditionalists, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. An MKP source stated, "Mfeka commands a lot of support from traditional leaders, which Zuma regards as an important constituency for his party." Mfeka who is the leader of socio-economic group Injeje yaBenguni, which advocates for African nationalism, recently held a meeting with Zuma in Durban, with sources saying the matter of the vacant position secretary-general position was discussed. When the MKP was formed in 2023, Mfeka was a big fan of Zuma.

During the general elections of last year, he was on the national list for parliament. However, he was later sent to the KZN Legislature and served on a number of portfolio committees. He was one of the party's dissidents who were upset that founding members were overlooked in favor of newcomers for senior positions. Nhlamulo Ndhlela, a spokesperson for the MKP, stated on Monday that Zuma had the authority to appoint the secretary-general. “I can’t comment on the matter now, because the decision solely lies with the president,” Ndhlela said.