‘Call each other comrade’: MK Party orders members to drop ‘commander’ title

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has instructed its members to stop referring to each other as “commanders” and instead use the title “comrades”, with immediate effect.

The directive was issued in a communiqué dated August 7, 2025 by MK Party national organiser Joe Ndhlela and sent to all party structures.

“Dear comrades, the National Officials of the MK Party met yesterday, August 6, 2025. We made key decisions to strengthen our revolutionary unity and structure. These decisions take effect immediately,” Ndhlela said.

“All levels of the party must implement them without delay.”

He said the decision was aimed at reinforcing a shared revolutionary identity and fostering equality among members.

According to the communiqué, several structural title changes have also been introduced:

-The title “provincial convenor” is now “provincial chairperson”, including for deputies.

- “Provincial co-ordinator” becomes “provincial secretary”, also applying to deputies.

-These changes will apply consistently across all levels - regional, sub-regional/zones, and branch structures.

“These updates are vital for the movement's strength and growth,” Ndhlela said. 

“All structures must act quickly. Ensure every member knows and follows these directives.”

Earlier this year, party leader Jacob Zuma criticised the use of the term “commander”, arguing that it promoted hierarchy and undermined mutual respect.

“Do you know what 'commander' means?” Zuma asked. “'Commander' implies a hierarchy, not equality. It's a serious military term. A commander is the person who gives orders, and when they speak, others listen.”

“We can't all be commanders, that's a problem…Luckily, in the MK Party, we are moving away from using 'commander' as a title, because it's not helping us with anything.”

Zuma added that abandoning the title would help restore respect within the party.

“Instead, we will address each other as comrades. We will fix the whole thing so that we can respect each other - that’s why there’s no respect (within the party).”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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