Floyd Shivambu starts a new party in South Africa – here’s what he said

Afrika Mayibuye Movement president Floyd Shivambu has pledged that his newly launched political party will represent a decisive break from the culture of personality-driven, corrupt and cult-like politics that has dominated South Africa’s political space since 1994. The launch, held in Midrand on Friday, attracted supporters eager to hear Shivambu’s vision for a new political era.

Shivambu, who previously served as deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and later as secretary-general of the MK Party, said the formation of Mayibuye followed extensive consultations with communities across the country. “The Afrika Mayibuye Movement will not be a cult. It will not be a family project or a money-making scheme. It is a revolutionary response to all South Africans who have lost faith in politics,” he declared, positioning the party as a grassroots alternative to both the ANC and other opposition movements.

The AFRIKA MAYIBUYE RESTORATION MANIFESTO correctly says that, “The ANC has dismally failed to deliver the promise of a better life for all. There are currently no liberation alternatives to the ANC’s decline. Many attempts to reform the ANC from within have failed, and the other… pic.twitter.com/AX0FWj0bbe

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) September 5, 2025

In his address, Shivambu criticised the ANC for failing to deliver on its promises of liberation and equality, arguing that post-apartheid politics have largely served elite interests. “The biggest beneficiaries of post-1994 politics are the white capitalist elite and a handful of politically connected individuals, while the majority remain excluded,” he said. He added that attempts to reform the ANC from within had failed, and existing opposition parties offered no credible alternative.

The party’s 126-page manifesto sets strict leadership standards, rejecting individuals who are abusive, pompous, corrupt, sexist, tribalistic or nepotistic. It also lists 100 urgent challenges facing South Africa, from unemployment and land reform to inequality, healthcare, education and infrastructure. Mayibuye has committed itself to improving access to healthcare, ensuring quality education and pursuing fair distribution of resources.

Looking ahead, Shivambu announced that the movement will contest every ward in the 2026 local government elections, with an ambitious goal of winning municipalities nationwide. Beyond that, he confirmed the party’s intention to compete in the 2029 general elections, positioning Mayibuye as a long-term political project rather than a short-lived campaign vehicle.

The new party’s logo features a clenched fist gripping a spear-pen, designed in black, green, gold, red and purple. According to Shivambu, it represents the fusion of intellectual struggle and revolutionary action — a symbol of the party’s commitment to both ideas and activism. He dismissed claims that the colours resembled those of the EFF and MK, insisting that Mayibuye is an independent project with its own identity.

With its focus on ethical leadership, inclusive politics and a rejection of cultish tendencies, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement is positioning itself as a radical but disciplined alternative for South Africans weary of broken promises and political scandals.