Sizwe Dhlomo, a veteran South African broadcaster, has once again drawn attention to his public feud with Floyd Shivambu, the leader of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, by posing a pointed question about a high-profile gala dinner hosted by his party. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, when Dhlomo posted a cryptic message on social media that appeared to reference the event, which had been previously advertised as a multimillion-rand affair.

Origins of the Rivalry

The tension between Dhlomo and Shivambu began after a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter) in early 2025. At the time, Dhlomo had offered unsolicited political advice to Shivambu, prompting a response from the politician. The conflict escalated further in June 2025, when Shivambu claimed he did not know Dhlomo, a statement Dhlomo later refuted by providing evidence of past interactions and allegations made by Shivambu in 2015.

Dhlomo’s latest comments were aimed at questioning the financial decisions behind the Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s gala dinner, which had previously drawn criticism over its cost. His post, captioned with a question about the event’s fate, was interpreted by many as a veiled critique of Shivambu’s leadership and the party’s spending habits.

Public Reaction and Criticism

Following Dhlomo’s post, social media users reacted with a mix of humor and serious commentary. Some users shared memes mocking the event, while others expressed concern over the party’s financial practices. Supporters of Shivambu defended the dinner as a success and accused critics of being overly critical.

One user, @Matlho53, commented, ‘Monumental flop. That’s where you realize the strengths of other people. Julius Malema can lead and can mobilize. Look how his last court appearance turned into an event.’ Another, @Lonely_KasiBoii, remarked, ‘Out of all failed political parties, this one takes the cup. He thought some of the EFF minions would follow him. He forgot that those cult members only have one supreme leader they are loyal to.’

Others criticized Dhlomo directly, calling him petty and hypocritical. @PrincessSkhu noted, ‘All I can say is that his ex-colleagues were correct; the guy may have the brains, but execution is not his greatest strength.’ Meanwhile, @Memyself4865 suggested that discussions about large sums of money can sometimes lead to confusion or lost details.

Broader Implications for Political Discourse

The controversy surrounding the Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s gala dinner highlights a growing trend of public scrutiny over political spending in South Africa. With economic challenges persisting, many citizens are increasingly concerned about how public and private funds are being used, particularly by political parties.

Analysts suggest that Dhlomo’s critique may reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the leadership of smaller political parties in the country. ‘Political leaders need to be transparent about their finances, especially when they are using significant resources for events,’ said one political analyst, who requested anonymity.

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement, which was formed from a merger of the former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party, has been under scrutiny for its internal dynamics and leadership challenges. Shivambu’s attempt to lead the party has faced resistance from former EFF members, who still view Malema as their primary leader.

As the Afrika Mayibuye Movement continues to handle its political landscape, the debate over the gala dinner may serve as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing the party. Whether this incident will lead to further internal conflict or public backlash remains to be seen.

With the upcoming elections on the horizon, the political discourse in South Africa is likely to intensify. Public figures like Dhlomo will continue to play a role in shaping the narrative, whether through direct criticism or indirect commentary on political events.