Floyd Shivambu Slams South Africa’s Political Parties: “No One Represents the People Anymore”

Floyd Shivambu Slams South Africa’s Political Parties: “No One Represents the People Anymore”

In a fiery address that felt as much like a reckoning as it did a rallying cry, Afrika Mayibuye Movement president Floyd Shivambu has accused South Africa’s entire political establishment, including the ANC of abandoning the people they claim to serve.

Speaking in Midrand on Wednesday, the former EFF deputy president didn’t mince his words. He described the ANC as an organisation “of people who want to get rich or die trying,” claiming it has become a platform for personal gain rather than public service.

“It’s no longer a liberation movement,” he declared. “It’s an association of people chasing money, not justice.”

The ANC and Marikana: “Blood on Their Hands”

Shivambu went further, revisiting one of South Africa’s darkest democratic chapters the Marikana massacre of 2012, where 34 striking mineworkers were killed by police.

“The ANC has the blood of workers in Marikana on its hands,” he said. “It was the decision of the ANC government to go and kill defenceless workers. It’s not representative of the people.”

His words struck a nerve online. On X (formerly Twitter), users echoed the sentiment that the ruling party has long drifted from its liberation roots. “Marikana was the day the people stopped believing the ANC stood for them,” wrote one user. Another added: “We’ve been waiting for someone in leadership to say this out loud.”

Corruption and Factionalism in the Spotlight

Shivambu also criticised the ANC’s handling of corruption scandals particularly the ongoing saga involving suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on special leave following allegations that he was too close to criminal figures in KwaZulu-Natal.

Without mentioning names directly, Shivambu took a pointed jab: “You can have a Minister of Police who befriends criminals so they can fund his presidential campaign. And when it’s exposed, the ANC can’t even decide if he should step aside, because those leading are in the same faction.”

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations, continues to probe what has become another embarrassment for the ruling party.

“The People Wanted This Movement”

Shivambu, who launched his Afrika Mayibuye Movement in September, said the new party was born from frustration among ordinary citizens who felt politically homeless.

“The formation of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement is a result of massive public consultations,” he explained. “People came forward on their own and said, ‘Form something new. Build a movement that actually listens to us.’”

He insists the organisation is not another populist experiment, but a serious attempt to rekindle the spirit of true liberation politics.

“There is no political organisation in South Africa that genuinely represents black people anymore,” Shivambu argued. “We thought there could be an alternative black political organisation that would carry the burden thrown away by the ANC and fight until the finish line.”

A Sign of Political Fatigue

Citing voter turnout data, Shivambu pointed to what he called a “crisis of faith” in the system.

“In 1994, 19 million people voted. In 2024, only 16 million did and yet our population has grown. That tells you something: the people don’t trust you anymore.”

Political analysts have echoed similar sentiments, warning that declining participation and growing disillusionment could signal a shift toward a more fragmented, distrustful political landscape one that movements like Afrika Mayibuye may try to occupy.

The Silence of the ANC

By Wednesday evening, the ANC had yet to respond to questions regarding Shivambu’s comments. But the silence itself spoke volumes. Within the ruling party, leaders are still grappling with internal divisions, corruption probes, and a bruised reputation following their worst electoral performance in democratic history.

Whether Floyd Shivambu’s new party becomes a genuine alternative or another voice in South Africa’s crowded opposition field remains to be seen. But his message cut deep, especially for a generation that feels liberation has not yet delivered true freedom.

{Source: IOL}

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