Boy Mamabolo exits ANC – here’s why and what he’s doing next

Former ANC MP Boy Mamabolo has formally resigned from the African National Congress after nearly three decades and confirmed he will press ahead with registering his new political movement, Born To Win.

Mamabolo told the Mail & Guardian that he would withdraw his appeal to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and resubmit an application with the new name, after his initial attempt under Mandela For President was rejected. The IEC had ruled that the original branding and colour scheme risked misleading voters by resembling the ANC and invoking Nelson Mandela.

The outspoken Limpopo politician says he has secured more than 10,000 supporter signatures — far exceeding the IEC’s minimum requirement of 1,000 — and that most signatories are disillusioned ANC members. He added that his party aims to draw support from both his former political home and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

“Every South African was born to win, regardless of background,” Mamabolo said. “The ANC has become a party of elites. We are reaching out to the ground forces who have been sidelined.”

In a resignation letter to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and Limpopo secretary Reuben Madadzhe, Mamabolo described the ruling party as “a pig that eats its own children.” He alleged his removal from Parliament was unlawful and accused ANC leaders of manipulating candidate lists.

The ANC has dismissed Mamabolo’s claims, saying he is motivated by self-interest and entitlement. Mamabolo, however, maintains that frustration with party leadership, and the new educational requirements for public representatives, have alienated ordinary members.

He predicts that after the upcoming Limpopo elective conference several prominent ANC figures will defect to his movement, arguing the party’s “renewal process” has turned away grassroots activists while his new party seeks to empower those who feel excluded.