Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has officially launched his new political formation, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM), branding it a “21st-century liberation movement” aimed at restoring dignity to South Africans and challenging the dominance of the ANC in the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking at the party’s inaugural National Convention in Soweto on Sunday, 7 December 2025, Shivambu vowed that the movement would contest the elections with the ambition of securing outright majorities nationwide. He further stressed that the party would reject corrupt coalitions or any attempts at extortion during post-election negotiations.
Despite these bold declarations, the launch was reportedly marred by organisational chaos, including high-profile resignations and internal rivalries, raising questions about the party’s capacity to deliver on its promises of unity and electoral readiness.
Shivambu described the AMM as a movement “here to stay,” positioning it as a political alternative for South Africans disillusioned with traditional party politics, while acknowledging the challenges of building a cohesive party infrastructure amid internal dissent.
The AMM’s debut highlights both the opportunities and obstacles facing new political movements in South Africa as they seek to challenge established parties ahead of the 2026 local elections.
