A new player has officially entered South Africa’s political arena. Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu on Friday unveiled the Afrika Mayibuye Movement (Mayibuye), a new political party set to contest the 2026 local government elections and the 2029 national and provincial elections.
The announcement follows months of speculation after Shivambu led a series of nationwide consultations under the banner of the “Mayibuye Consultation Process.” On Friday, he declared the consultations complete and announced the birth of a new “generational people’s movement.”
“We no longer have a national convenor, but a president of the movement,” Shivambu told the packed media briefing in Johannesburg. “The people’s voice has been clear. We are fighting for total freedom and emancipation, now!”
The Mayibuye Consultation Process had been underway for months, engaging communities across all nine provinces on issues ranging from inequality and unemployment to service delivery failures. According to Shivambu, the feedback was unequivocal: South Africans are demanding a fresh political alternative rooted in emancipation, heritage, and people-driven governance.
“The consultation was not a gimmick,” Shivambu insisted. “It was a genuine listening exercise. After traveling the country, we are proud to present the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as a home for the marginalised and forgotten.”
He also confirmed that Mayibuye’s membership registration portal is now live, calling on South Africans—particularly the youth—to join.
Positioning itself as a progressive, people-centred movement, Shivambu outlined some of Mayibuye’s guiding principles: Advocacy for free education and greater access to healthcare. Promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Preservation of South Africa’s cultural and historical heritage. And economic policies aimed at inclusive development and total emancipation.
“Afrika Mayibuye Movement will not be a cult, it will not be a family project,” Shivambu said, in what appeared to be a veiled swipe at existing parties often accused of nepotism and centralised power. “This is a vehicle for the development of our people.”
The unveiling sparked immediate reaction on social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), one user, Vusi Khoza, wrote: “Afrika Mayibuye Movement is fighting for Total Freedom & Emancipation Now!”
Another, Rufaz Jetera, commented: “Shivambu launches Afrika Mayibuye Movement. Mayibuye. Let the bidding begin. Best wishes. Transfer window is still open. Mayibuye must start signing new players. Experience and fresh mix. A people’s movement. Fighting for total freedom”,
Not all responses were supportive, however. Some users dismissed the new formation as just another version of the ANC, EFF, or uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. One commenter posted: “ANC, EFF, MK and Mayibuye is the same party.”
Shivambu’s announcement adds to an already crowded political landscape ahead of the 2026 municipal polls, where smaller parties will compete to make an impact as coalition politics becomes the norm in many municipalities.
The 2029 national elections are expected to be even more competitive, with the ANC’s dominance under threat, the EFF consolidating its base, the Democratic Alliance (DA) pushing for coalition government, and the MK Party continuing to attract disillusioned ANC voters.
Mayibuye will now have to carve out its distinct identity in this mix.
Political Analyst Weighs In
A political analyst told journalists that Shivambu’s move was not surprising, given his political trajectory and recent break from the EFF.
“Floyd Shivambu has long been viewed as one of the most intellectually capable figures within the EFF, but also one of its most controversial,” she said. “By forming Mayibuye, he is attempting to step out of Julius Malema’s shadow and build his own political brand.”
She noted that the movement’s rhetoric of emancipation and freedom resonates with historic liberation slogans but warned that it may struggle to differentiate itself.
“South Africans have heard similar promises before—from the ANC in 1994, from the EFF in 2013, and now from MK more recently. The real test will be whether Mayibuye offers something genuinely new in practice, especially on service delivery and governance,” she said.
According to the analyst, Mayibuye’s potential strength lies in mobilising youth and disillusioned urban voters who feel alienated by both mainstream and populist parties. However, she added, building structures across the country in time for 2026 will be a formidable task.
Shivambu confirmed that the official launch rally of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement will be announced in the coming weeks, along with details of the leadership structure and policy manifesto.
For now, the party’s slogan is clear: “Total Freedom and Emancipation Now.”
Whether Mayibuye becomes a genuine force or fades into South Africa’s long list of short-lived political experiments will depend on its ability to translate rhetoric into grassroots support and credible governance alternatives.
But one thing is certain: with Shivambu at its helm, South Africa’s political stage has just gained a new and potentially disruptive player.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), there are currently 609 registered political parties in South Africa. Of these, 383 are registered at the national level, and 226 are registered at the provincial or municipal level.
