Floyd Shivambu, the prominent South African politician known for his fiery rhetoric and influential role in the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and later the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has seen his public life often intertwined with his personal relationships. While a figure deeply entrenched in the political landscape, his romantic journey has also garnered significant media attention, marked by a high-profile marriage and subsequent widely reported, though unconfirmed, relationships. His love life, like his political career, has been a subject of public discussion, speculation, and occasional controversy, reflecting the intense scrutiny faced by public figures in South Africa.
Shivambu's most publicly acknowledged relationship began with Siphesihle Pezi, an African National Congress (ANC) member, a detail that itself sparked considerable interest given Shivambu's prominent position in the rival EFF. The couple celebrated their traditional wedding in a vibrant ceremony held in April 2017 in Mahosini village, outside Malamulele in Limpopo. The event was a significant affair, attended by high-ranking EFF officials, including party leader Julius Malema, who publicly endorsed the union despite the differing political affiliations of the bride and groom. Malema notably stated that the EFF would not bar any member from marrying an ANC member, emphasizing the personal nature of the union.
The wedding itself, however, later became a subject of controversy. Reports from 2019 by Daily Maverick's Scorpio investigative unit alleged that funds from the now-collapsed VBS Mutual Bank, through a slush fund named Grand Azania, were used to finance parts of the wedding. These reports claimed that approximately R570,000 was spent on the ceremony, with specific payments made to an events company and a photographer. Shivambu and the EFF have consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the VBS scandal, maintaining that he did not benefit from the alleged looting.
Despite the public celebration and political blessings, the marriage between Floyd Shivambu and Siphesihle Pezi reportedly began to unravel within a few years. By 2020, news emerged that their union had "crumbled," with sources indicating that Pezi had vacated their matrimonial home in Fourways. The exact reasons for the separation were not publicly detailed, but reports suggested a quiet dissolution of the marriage, paving the way for new developments in Shivambu's personal life. The end of this marriage marked a significant shift, moving Shivambu from a publicly married status to a new chapter of rumored relationships.
Following the reported end of his marriage to Pezi, Shivambu's name became increasingly linked to celebrity chef and media personality Lorna Maseko. Speculation about a romantic involvement between the two began circulating widely around 2020 and has persisted through 2024. According to various media outlets, their relationship allegedly began when Shivambu hired Maseko as his personal chef, expressing a desire to eat healthier. This professional arrangement reportedly evolved into a romantic connection, with sources close to the situation claiming they had become "an item."
The alleged relationship with Lorna Maseko was largely kept out of the public eye, though it was a frequent subject of tabloid headlines and social media discussions. Reports indicated that Maseko was reportedly "tired of being hidden," suggesting a desire for the relationship to be more publicly acknowledged. Both Shivambu and Maseko had previously been married, leading to some public commentary about the timing of their alleged romance relative to their respective marital separations. Unconfirmed rumors also circulated about Maseko being pregnant with Shivambu's child, though these claims were never substantiated by either party.
Throughout the years of speculation, neither Floyd Shivambu nor Lorna Maseko have officially confirmed their relationship, maintaining a private stance on the matter. This lack of official confirmation has fueled ongoing media interest and public curiosity, positioning their alleged romance as one of South Africa's most talked-about unconfirmed celebrity pairings. Despite the persistent rumors and numerous reports detailing their alleged connection, they have largely remained silent, choosing not to address the speculation directly.
As of late 2024, the alleged relationship between Floyd Shivambu and Lorna Maseko continues to be a topic of discussion in South African entertainment and political circles. While Shivambu's political career has seen him transition from the EFF to the MK Party, his personal life remains largely shrouded in privacy, with the nature and status of his current romantic engagements unconfirmed. His romantic history, marked by a high-profile marriage and subsequent rumored connections, reflects the complex interplay between public life and personal privacy for figures in the national spotlight.