Shivambu Is Using Afrika Mayibuye to Escape the Wilderness

Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast has weighed in on the recent moves by former EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, suggesting that his involvement in the Afrika Mayibuye Movement is an attempt to revive his political fortunes.

Shivambu has been in what many describe as a political wilderness since his fallout with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, where he was unceremoniously sidelined. According to Prof. Breakfast, aligning himself with Afrika Mayibuye is a strategic decision aimed at carving out a new platform after his exclusion from the mainstream opposition.

“Floyd Shivambu is using the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as a forum to pull himself out of the political wilderness, given that he was booted out of the MK Party,” Breakfast observed. He noted that this move highlights Shivambu’s resilience and unwillingness to disappear from the political stage.

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement, though relatively unknown on the national stage, may serve as a vehicle for Shivambu to reassert his relevance. However, questions remain about whether it has the grassroots support and resources to position itself as a credible political force.

Analysts argue that Shivambu’s political career has been defined by both controversy and sharp intellect, making him a figure who can still command attention. Yet, his association with smaller or less established movements could be a risky gamble in an already crowded political landscape.

Prof. Breakfast further pointed out that Shivambu’s re-entry into active politics will depend largely on how well he can mobilise supporters and distance himself from past controversies. “It will all boil down to whether South Africans still see him as a leader worth following,” he added.