JOHANNESBURG – What began as Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye consultation has now transformed into a fully-fledged political party poised to contest in upcoming elections. The initiative, which was launched earlier this year to assess the public appetite for a new political formation, has culminated in the establishment of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, a new entrant in South Africa’s political landscape.
The process, spearheaded by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, initially aimed to gather insights and opinions from South Africans about the state of political representation and whether the current political parties adequately serve the people’s interests. According to Shivambu, the Mayibuye consultation process was an effort to understand the deep-seated concerns of citizens and determine whether the creation of a new party was warranted.
The Purpose Behind Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye Consultation
Earlier in the year, Floyd Shivambu made headlines when he announced the launch of a nationwide engagement known as Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye consultation. The process involved a broad range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, community-based organizations, civic groups, and members of the public. Meetings were held across provinces, with an emphasis on hearing directly from communities often sidelined in political discussions.
Floyd Shivambu noted that the purpose of the consultation was not to impose a political agenda but rather to genuinely listen and gauge the sentiment on the ground. The key question driving the initiative was: Is there a need for a new political party in South Africa?
“We approached the Mayibuye consultation with humility and a willingness to be corrected,” Shivambu said. “We asked the people what they think is missing in South Africa’s political environment, and whether they believed a new political movement was necessary to address those gaps.”
During a media briefing held on Friday, Shivambu revealed that the overwhelming feedback from the public was in favor of forming a new political party. Citizens from various backgrounds expressed frustration with the current political offerings and called for a movement that prioritizes community empowerment, African unity, and economic justice.
As a result, Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye consultation has officially given rise to the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, a political formation that aims to bring back the ethos of pan-Africanism and grassroots participation in governance.
“I have the honour, on behalf of our foremothers and forefathers, on behalf of the people of South Africa, on behalf of the current and future generations, and by the grace of the Almighty God, to announce the formation of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as a political movement and political party,” Shivambu declared.
He emphasized that this new party would not be built on empty promises but on the foundation of collective action, shared values, and a vision for a decolonized and economically liberated Africa.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement will focus on several key pillars, which were shaped through the engagements during the Mayibuye consultation process:
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Land Redistribution: Advocating for fair and swift redistribution of land to historically disadvantaged communities.
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Economic Transformation: Building an inclusive economy that prioritizes job creation, small businesses, and black industrialists.
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Education and Youth Development: Creating access to quality education and empowering young people with skills and opportunities.
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Pan-African Solidarity: Promoting unity among African nations and communities both on the continent and in the diaspora.
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Community Participation: Ensuring that political decisions are made with the direct input of local communities and traditional leaders.
Shivambu stated that the new party would be rooted in the lived experiences of the people, rather than elite boardrooms or academic theories. “We are not here to replace one elite with another,” he said. “This movement is for the people, by the people.”
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement is preparing to contest in the upcoming local government elections, with a particular focus on municipalities where service delivery has collapsed and governance structures have become dysfunctional.
The party believes it can make immediate changes at the local level by prioritizing basic services, accountability, and public participation.
Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye consultation has evolved from a listening exercise into a bold political project aiming to reshape the future of South African politics. The creation of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement signals a new chapter—one that seeks to place African identity, social justice, and public service at the center of governance.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the elections, all eyes will be on whether this new formation can gain traction and challenge the dominance of established parties. If the consultation process is anything to go by, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement may be tapping into a growing desire for authentic and transformative leadership in South Africa.
Source- EWN
