The Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM), led by its president Floyd Shivambu, has launched a scathing critique of South Africa’s electoral system, accusing it of entrenching inequality and silencing emerging political voices. The criticism followed a high-level meeting between AMM representatives and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Friday, where concerns about transparency, fairness, and accessibility dominated the discussion.
Shivambu, once a senior figure in the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), argued that the current system unfairly favours established political parties while creating barriers for smaller formations and independents. He described the electoral framework as one “designed to benefit the few while excluding the many,” claiming it fails to reflect the true will of the people. AMM highlighted the proportional representation model as a particular concern, saying it weakens accountability between elected officials and citizens, and insisted that reforms should open space for independents and smaller parties without what it calls “crippling administrative and financial hurdles.”
While the IEC defended the existing system as constitutionally sound, it acknowledged the growing demand for reform and pledged to examine the proposals presented. The Commission has faced mounting pressure to implement changes following a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling requiring broader inclusion of independent candidates. Analysts suggest that AMM’s vocal stance is aimed at positioning itself as a champion of electoral justice, particularly appealing to young and disenfranchised voters who feel alienated by mainstream politics.
The Friday engagement was described as “robust but constructive,” though no concrete resolutions were reached. AMM has since vowed to intensify its lobbying efforts, targeting not only the IEC but also Parliament and civil society organisations to push for a “truly representative democracy.” Shivambu reiterated that the movement would not relent, declaring that South Africans deserve an electoral system that prioritises the people rather than protecting entrenched power. The IEC is expected to release a comprehensive report on stakeholder engagements later this year, which could shape the trajectory of electoral reform ahead of the next national elections.