Floyd Shivambu – Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Secretary General Floyd Shivambu is doubling down on his political comeback, this time in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), as he wraps up the final leg of a nationwide consultation process for his new political initiative, Mayibuye. The consultations, held in Durban on Sunday, mark a significant milestone in Shivambu’s plans to challenge the political establishment in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.
Floyd Shivambu, who launched Mayibuye in June shortly after his removal from the MK Party’s leadership, has framed the movement not merely as a political party, but as a broader socio-political force. His presence in eThekwini this weekend was aimed at energizing supporters, consolidating grassroots structures, and finalizing the groundwork for Mayibuye’s registration as a political entity.
Floyd Shivambu Positions Mayibuye as a “Political Movement,” Not Just a Party
Addressing volunteers and community members gathered at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban, Floyd Shivambu emphasized that Mayibuye aims to go beyond traditional party politics. He described it as a “political movement” that would embrace civil society, labour unions, NGOs, civic organizations, and other grassroots forums.
“A political movement is different from a political party,” Shivambu told the crowd. “They [the people] say: let us respond to all the crises and the lack of activism in all of society. They say: let us constitute a movement that will have unions within it, civil society organisations, civic organisations, NGOs, community forums, but must also have political parties that must contest elections from 2026 onwards.”
His comments signal an ambition to unify various progressive forces under one umbrella, creating a decentralized yet cohesive platform to address South Africa’s mounting socio-political challenges.
The formation of Mayibuye followed a dramatic political fallout between Floyd Shivambu and the leadership of the MK Party. Once a key figure in the party, Shivambu was first removed from his post as Secretary General and later expelled from the MK Party altogether. While the internal party dynamics leading to his ousting remain opaque, sources close to Shivambu have cited ideological clashes and disagreements over organizational direction.
Rather than retreating from the political scene, Shivambu has used the episode as a springboard for launching Mayibuye — an organization that he claims is driven by the voices of the people rather than political elites.
“We are not starting something new just for the sake of having another party on the ballot. We are building a new platform that reflects the real aspirations of our communities, one rooted in action, activism, and accountability,” he told supporters in KZN.
KwaZulu-Natal has historically played a critical role in shaping South Africa’s political landscape, and Floyd Shivambu appears keenly aware of the province’s strategic importance. His visit to Durban is part of a broader effort to build provincial chapters and recruit volunteers, coordinators, and local activists under the Mayibuye banner.
Shivambu’s message resonated with many in attendance, particularly youth and unemployed graduates who expressed disillusionment with existing political formations.
“We’re tired of empty promises. What Floyd is talking about — involving communities, churches, unions, and even informal traders — that’s what we need,” said Thabiso Mthembu, a 27-year-old volunteer from Umlazi.
Floyd Shivambu has indicated that Mayibuye will focus on practical solutions to everyday issues such as unemployment, service delivery failures, and crime. He also pledged that the movement would include mechanisms for direct public accountability, where community forums could hold leaders to account.
Although still in the consultation phase, Floyd Shivambu confirmed last week that steps to formally register Mayibuye with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) were already underway. The organization is expected to contest in various municipalities in 2026, although specific metros or wards have not yet been announced.
According to Floyd Shivambu, the consultation process is not just symbolic; it is foundational to how Mayibuye will function. “We don’t want a top-down approach. We are creating something democratic, participatory, and owned by the people on the ground.”
The next phase for Mayibuye includes finalizing its national constitution, hosting a founding convention, and formally electing its leadership structures. Shivambu has hinted that the movement may also launch a youth wing, women’s league, and workers’ forum to give various constituencies space to organize within the broader framework.
Whether Floyd Shivambu can transform Mayibuye into a significant political force remains to be seen, but his efforts to establish a new political alternative suggest that he is not stepping away from national politics anytime soon.
With disillusionment growing among South African voters and political loyalty increasingly up for grabs, Shivambu’s Mayibuye movement may find fertile ground — particularly if it delivers on its promise of grassroots empowerment and transparent governance.
As the 2026 elections approach, all eyes will be on whether Shivambu can turn consultation into mobilization — and mobilization into meaningful electoral impact.
Source- EWN
