By Johnathan Paoli
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has officially confirmed preparations and leadership structures of a nationwide political engagement initiative under the banner of the Mayibuye consultation process, aimed at gauging public support for the formation of a new political party.
“We are going to listen to the people of South Africa before taking any decision. If the outcome of this consultation is to launch a political party or movement, then the national convention will carry that mandate,” Shivambu reiterated.
The announcement comes just weeks after his removal from the MKP’s top leadership, following internal disagreements and controversies, including an unauthorised visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi.
The Mayibuye team is made up of political veterans and former leaders from the MKP, Economic Freedom Fighters and African National Congress. It set to crisscross all 257 municipalities, gathering public opinion on whether South Africans want a new political formation.
Among the prominent figures involved are Patrick Sindane, Luther Lebelo, Menzi Magubane, former EFF members Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena, former ANC leader Lazola Ndamase and broadcaster Sydney Baloyi.
Shivambu has stressed that the effort is not a breakaway faction from the MKP, but rather a broader response to widespread disillusionment across multiple political organisations.
“We don’t have confidence in the ANC. We don’t have confidence in the MK. We don’t have confidence in the EFF. We are saying, let us do something new, something built from the ground up,” he said.
In outlining the principles of the process, he emphasised openness, humility and respect, and warned against factionalism and gatekeeping.
“All of us must welcome people, no matter when they join the process. This will not be a space for mafikizolo bashing. No one should be treated as a latecomer,” he said.
Shivambu reiterated that there would be no dress codes, conduct codes or rigid ideological restrictions.
“What matters is the content of your ideas and the character you bring,” he said.
One of the most controversial aspects of the announcement was the inclusion of Bishop Stephen Zondo, who is facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges.
Despite the ongoing trial, Shivambu appointed Zondo as national chaplain of the Mayibuye leadership collective.
“Pastor Zondo is not convicted of any crime, he is a religious leader who has played multiple roles in the community for many years. We did not make a mistake,” Shivambu said.
He further argued that excluding religious leaders from political processes would be unrepresentative of South Africa’s majority.
“More than 80% of South Africans are religious. Pastors are the ones people turn to when they don’t know where to find councillors or MPs. They know our communities better than many elected officials,” he said.
This follows backlash from Shivambu’s earlier visit to Bushiri, the self-proclaimed prophet who fled South Africa in 2020 while facing charges of rape, fraud and money laundering.
Shivambu maintains that these engagements reflect the social influence of religious leaders, not endorsements of alleged criminal conduct.
Shivambu also addressed his recent televised accusation that MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela was abusing drugs and alcohol.
Ndhlela strongly denied the allegations and launched a R3 million defamation suit at the Johannesburg High Court.
Shivambu issued a full retraction and attributed the earlier remarks to a moment before he formally became the national convener of the Mayibuye initiative and accepted guidance from the collective to withdraw the claim.
Shivambu confirmed that the consultation process would culminate in the formation of provincial and regional teams, followed by the convening of a Council of Elders composed of leaders from various sectors to assess feedback and guide the way forward.
If the council and national convention endorse the formation of a political movement, Mayibuye will contest the 2026 local government elections and build toward the 2029 general elections.
As the Mayibuye consultation process kicks off, many are speculating whether this initiative solidifies into a formidable political force and whether it can transcend the controversies now surrounding its leadership.
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