By Peter Jegwa

Floyd Shivambu and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi are former political allies who have been close friends for more than two decades and are known to share similar political ideologies, but Malawian pastor, Shepherd Bushiri, says Shivambu champions pragmatic ideologies that can propel Africa forward while Ndlozi is a poorly rated politician.

Bushiri, who is wanted in South Africa where he was a resident before being arrested and later jumping bail and fleeing to his native Malawi, made his comments when the two South African politicians visited Malawi within seven days of each other on separate missions.

Ndlozi was a guest of a government minister and his visit was made known prior to his arrival in Malawi where he spoke to university students during a public lecture which was broadcast on national tv.

Shivambu’s visit was rather discreet, and the reason for his coming to Malawi has not been made public.

He, however, met with Bushiri and the two had kind words for each other.

According to Bushiri, Shivambu also attended a prayer service at Bushiri’s church.

Every week, tens of South Africans travel to Malawi to worship at prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) which is why a number of South African media outlets have been reporting that Shivambu visited Malawi for prayers.

But Bushiri seemed to suggest Shivambu’s attendance at church was “a bonus.”

Said Bushiri: “After our chat, he even stopped by our church for a prayer session.”

During Ndlozi’s public lecture on April 11, he seemed to attack Bushiri, when, without naming him, he said:  “There is someone here in Malawi who is wanted in South Africa. I am going to ask the minister to help me go past the house of that person and just tell him: there are questions there for you in South Africa that you must come answer.”

The remarks did not go down well with Bushiri who responded by describing Ndlozi was a poorly rated politician. A week after Bushiri’s comments, Shivambu showed up in Malawi.

First Bushiri posted a picture of two sitting together and he praised the visiting South African politician “for championing pragmatic ideologies that can propel Africa forward.”

Later, images of Shivambu attending Bushiri’s church were also circulated.

On his part, Shivambu also took to social media to praise Bushiri for “unparalleled government scale amount of work”

Shivambu, 42, and Ndlozi ,39, became friends while both were university students when the former recruited the latter to join the African National Congress (ANC) party.

They later quit the ANC and, together with expelled ANC Youth leader, Julius Malema, formed a political party called the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Last year, after poor showing in national elections, Shivambu quit the EFF to join a newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party where he was appointed Secretary General.

Meanwhile, Ndlozi announced he had quit party politics following his own of disagreements with the EFF leadership.

But Shivambu and Ndlozi remained friends.

What Ndlozi said

“There is someone here in Malawi who is wanted in South Africa I am going to ask the minister to help me go past that house of that person and just tell him ‘there are questions there for you in South Africa that you must come answer”

“Whether you are a pastor or politician, you don’t have the right to steal from the poor – not in the name of God, not in the name of our people.”

Bushiri’s response to Ndlozi

I was astonished to hear that Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi attended a public lecture in Malawi and asked, “Why am I rich?”.

Seriously, why? How did I even come into your public political lecture? Can’t these jealous, poorly rated politicians like him, with xenophobic tendencies, leave me alone at once? Why so much hate against me? Your question about my wealth is nonsensical. You can’t bully me in South Africa and expect to do the same here at home. You can’t advise Malawians to ask me questions about my wealth; they’re not naive. Is this the reason you betrayed your brother, Julius Malema? Next time, focus on politics. To answer your question, Malawians know why I’m rich — I help the poor and create jobs. This past year alone, I created over 5,000 jobs at my farms and the Goshen City project. And what about you in South Africa?

What Bushiri said about Shivambu

Thrilled to have met Mr Floyd Shivambu! His philosophy of black people supporting each other resonated deeply. Kudos for championing pragmatic ideologies that can propel Africa forward.

Sadly, some still peddle jealousy and negativity, labeling successful black individuals as ‘corrupt’ and ‘must be investigated,’ while praising white individuals as ‘investors.’ That’s not Pan-Africanism; that’s jealousy. Let’s move beyond politics of attrition.

And, bonus fact: after our chat, he even stopped by our church for a prayer session. I guess you could say he wanted to ‘pray away’ any political stress or ensure his prayers were ‘politically correct’ . Either way, his visit was a blessing, and we appreciate his willingness and humility to seek divine guidance.

What Shivambu said after visiting Bushiri

Thank you my brother, Prophet Bushiri for hosting us and for the kind words. The government scale amount of work you do to economically, educationally, socially and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled now and in history.

I know that the leadership and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish the so many massive programmes you do for the people on the ground. Continue doing the good work.

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Also Read: SA politician loses party position over links to Malawi’s Bushiri

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