Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s way forward REVEALED after resigning from EFF, he is joining Power FM this April

Johannesburg – Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesperson and parliamentarian Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, affectionately known as “the people’s bae,” is rumoured to be on the verge of launching a new career in the media, with whispers suggesting he is set to join Gauteng-based commercial radio station, Power FM.

The potential move comes after Ndlozi announced his resignation from the EFF, stating his intention to pursue a career in academia and civil society. Ndlozi made this announcement during an interview with public broadcaster SABC.

However, sources allege that the former EFF spokesperson has been spotted at the Bryanston home of MSG Afrika Group chairman and Power FM owner, Given Mkhari, for the past three months, fuelling speculation about his radio debut.

The rumours have gained further credence due to Mkhari’s “impromptu decision” to organise his Chairman’s Conversation tomorrow, an event that previously took several months to plan. Could this be Ndlozi’s first step into the media landscape?

Sources allege that Power FM wants Ndlozi to be behind the microphone in April, potentially replacing economist journalist Lerato Mbele on her show. If Ndlozi joins the station, it could provide a significant competitive advantage, given his access to prominent guests who are often difficult for regular journalists to secure for interviews.

Ndlozi, 39, who holds a PhD, gained prominence after joining the EFF in 2014 and served as the party’s first official spokesperson until 2020. His departure from the EFF comes after a turbulent period marked by escalating tensions with party leader Julius Malema, which ultimately led to the collapse of their once-strong relationship.

Ndlozi’s woes within the party began six weeks before its elective conference in December. Due to his popularity and strong appeal, particularly among the youth, it was widely believed that he would secure a spot in the top five leadership positions.

However, the party leadership decided to charge him and bar him from participating in the conference altogether. Ndlozi said the suspension didn’t rely on the code of conduct of the EFF summoned by its constitution.

At the time of being charged, the leadership informed him that they had an intelligence report suggesting he was involved in an infiltration strategy by the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP). The party alleged that he had been working with former president Jacob Zuma’s party and intended to join them, which Ndlozi denied. He said he was accused of being part of the infiltration strategy by rival political party Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP). Also that he knew that EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu was going to join the MKP. He was accused of failing to inform the leadership of this fact.

“Of course I was told to stay at home, cease my participation in Parliament and the rest of the activities of the EFF, and so it was important for me they said that the investigation was still ongoing, and that when it was finished I then would be given an opportunity to respond to these at a later stage.”

Ndlozi said although the allegations against him were “dangerous and very serious” he held on to the hope that he would be exonerated by the party’s report, and that he would at a later stage be given an opportunity to state his case.

To date, this had not happened, despite him reaching out to the leadership on several occasions.

“The attitude of the collective leadership is very clear, I don’t think there is any interest, and personally I have let it go.”

Ndlozi announced during an interview with the SABC’s Mzwandile Mbeje that he wanted to provide the public with closure on the matter. Ndlozi said he stood by his decision to withhold the information from Malema, saying it was simply not his place to inform him.

“The idea that I should have run behind his (Shivambu’s) back to inform other people or the leadership suggests that I am an informant, a gossiper or a wedge driver, I am none of those. It was Floyd’s decision, he had to communicate it, and he did,” he said.

Ndlozi’s departure from the red berets was practically written on the wall as his relationship with Malema soured after he failed to inform him of the defection of the party’s former deputy president Floyd Shivambu to the uMkhonto Wesizwe party.

Despite the EFF exodus, the two have not been afraid to discuss their connection to the press.

buyiseni Ndlozi, former MP, has finally left the Economic Freedom Fighters and party politics altogether after a turbulent period of escalating tensions with EFF leader Julius Malema, which led to the collapse of their once-strong relationship.

Ndlozi said the suspension didn’t rely on the code of conduct of the EFF summoned by its constitution.

It largely rested on two counts.

Ndlozi denied being a double agent. Even though their political philosophies have changed, Ndlozi remains close friends with Shivambu.

The latter quit the EFF in 2024 for Jacob Zuma’s MKP, and is now the party’s secretary general.

On several occasions, Malema publicly criticised EFF leaders who remained silent during the party’s turbulent times.

While Ndlozi himself did not openly address the tension, there were signs that he was being sidelined within the party.

“It seemed fair for me to wait and clear my name so that I do not function with a dark cloud over my head or a gun in my face.”

With a strong academic background, Ndlozi has since expressed a desire to contribute to civil society and academia, leveraging his education after completing his PhD in Political Sociology at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2017.

“I have taken a decision to step away from party politics,” he said. “I have left the EFF. I have left party politics. I have handed in my resignation as a member, and it is because where I want to go and contribute, I can’t hold a single party membership.”