Colleen Makhubele: The woman at the centre of MK Party’s leadership crisis
Colleen Makhubele. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
Colleen Makhubele has fast become one of the most talked-about figures in South African politics—not just for her meteoric rise, but for the internal firestorm her appointment as MK Party Chief Whip has ignited.
Once celebrated as a symbol of gender representation and renewal within the Zuma-led movement, Makhubele now finds herself in the middle of a leadership crisis marked by factional battles, contested authority, and growing calls for her removal.
As tensions escalate between party powerhouses like John Hlophe and loyalists of Jacob Zuma, Makhubele’s role has become both a symbol of reform and a lightning rod for division. This spotlight unpacks her background, her political journey, and how she became the face of a deeper struggle over the soul and structure of the MK Party.
Who Is Colleen Makhubele? A Look at Her Political and Professional Journey
Colleen Makhubele is a South African politician and former Speaker of the Johannesburg City Council. Born and raised in Giyani, Limpopo, she holds qualifications in Business Management, Information Technology, and public leadership, with certifications from institutions like UNISA and Damelin. Her political journey began with the Congress of the People (COPE), where she rose to prominence as a councillor and eventually made history as the first female Speaker of Johannesburg City Council in 2022.
After her expulsion from COPE in 2023 due to internal conflicts, she founded the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA), positioning it as an inclusive alternative to the dominant political parties. However, the party failed to win any seats during the 2024 general elections. Undeterred, she continued her political activism and was welcomed into the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in August 2024. By January 2025, she had been sworn in as an MK Member of Parliament. Her rapid political reinvention has made her one of the most visible—and now controversial—female figures in South African politics.
Makhubele’s Appointment as MK Party Chief Whip: A Bold Move by Hlophe
In May 2025, the MK Party’s leadership took a strategic leap by appointing Colleen Makhubele as its Chief Whip in Parliament, replacing media executive and Zuma loyalist, Mzwanele Manyi. The decision was orchestrated by MK Party Deputy President John Hlophe, who sought to strengthen discipline and enforce coordination within the party’s caucus.
Makhubele’s appointment was confirmed in Parliament by Speaker Thoko Didiza and initially hailed as a progressive move that symbolized gender inclusion and reform. Supporters praised her public service record, political resilience, and national exposure, believing she could instill structure in the relatively new parliamentary bloc. However, it didn’t take long before murmurs of discontent began to surface within the party ranks.
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Growing Resentment: Why MK Party Members Are Demanding Makhubele’s Removal
Barely weeks into her tenure as Chief Whip, Makhubele faced a growing rebellion from within her party. A group of MK MPs submitted a formal letter to party leader Jacob Zuma, calling for her immediate removal. In the letter, they accused her of exclusionary leadership, making unilateral decisions, and taking policy positions—particularly on international affairs like the Israel-Gaza conflict—that allegedly contradicted the party’s stance.
The dissenting MPs branded Makhubele a “political novice” whose leadership style is “authoritarian” and out of touch with the party’s grassroots base. They alleged that her appointment bypassed due process and lacked the endorsement of the party’s national structures. Some MPs also criticized her for using her position to build personal political capital rather than strengthening the collective. The revolt against her has now become one of the sharpest indicators of MK Party’s internal volatility.
Gender, Power, and Strategy: Why Makhubele’s Role Matters Beyond the Crisis
Makhubele’s elevation to the Chief Whip position carried more than symbolic weight—it represented a strategic turning point for the MK Party. Her presence helped the party project an image of gender diversity and generational renewal, especially in contrast to its Zuma-era veterans. With her background in public administration and municipal governance, she brought credibility, policy depth, and corporate leadership skills.
Supporters argue that the backlash against her is partly rooted in patriarchal discomfort with a strong female leader taking charge of a male-dominated parliamentary structure. Others believe she represents a necessary break from the party’s populist leanings toward a more structured and policy-driven politics. Regardless of interpretation, it is clear that Makhubele’s role has opened a broader debate about the future direction of the MK Party and who gets to shape it.
The Zuma-Hlophe Power Struggle and Where Makhubele Fits In
The tension around Makhubele’s appointment cannot be isolated from the larger power struggle between Jacob Zuma, the party’s symbolic leader, and John Hlophe, its de facto parliamentary strategist. Hlophe has made a series of assertive moves in recent months—firing national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, clashing with Mzwanele Manyi, and now installing Makhubele—all of which have positioned him as a force to be reckoned with.
Some analysts believe Makhubele is Hlophe’s attempt to counterbalance Zuma’s influence and restructure the MK Party’s internal leadership dynamics. But this has angered Zuma loyalists, many of whom view Hlophe’s recent actions as undermining the founding vision of the party. As a result, Makhubele has become a lightning rod for these factional tensions, caught in the crossfire between competing visions for the party’s future.
What This Means for MK Party Stability and Its 2026 Electoral Prospects
The controversy surrounding Colleen Makhubele’s role underscores the fragile state of unity within the MK Party. Having emerged as a significant political force in the 2024 general elections, the party now faces a critical test of internal cohesion. With local government elections looming in 2026, unresolved leadership disputes could tarnish the party’s public image and weaken its electoral competitiveness.
If the party leadership fails to address the growing dissatisfaction surrounding Makhubele’s appointment—either through dialogue or restructuring—it risks deeper divisions that may lead to defections or public embarrassment. Conversely, if the party successfully consolidates its leadership and supports Makhubele’s mandate, it may yet reframe this controversy as a victory for reform and inclusivity.
