“THEY HAD MONEY FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS, BUT COULDN’T CONVINCE EVEN 7% OF VOTERS!” — FLOYD SHIVAMBU TAKES A BRUTAL SWIPE AT HIS FORMER PARTY, THE EFF!
The political rivalry between Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and his former political home, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has erupted again following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Shivambu has questioned how the EFF could allegedly spend heavily on its election campaign, organise multiple music festivals and enjoy the advantages of being in government, yet still fail to persuade more than 7% of voters to support it.
Speaking to journalists at the IEC Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Friday, 6 November, Shivambu did not hold back.
He argued that the EFF had invested significant resources into its campaign but failed to convert that spending into meaningful electoral support.
EFF SUPPORT TAKES A MAJOR HIT
The provisional election figures available on Friday placed the EFF at approximately 6.2% nationally, a significant decline from the 10.31% it secured in the 2021 municipal elections.
The party also suffered setbacks in several major municipalities, raising fresh questions about its campaign strategy, leadership and ability to maintain its position in South African politics.
Shivambu’s remarks are particularly striking because he previously served as the EFF’s deputy president before leaving the organisation in 2024. He later joined the MK Party before establishing Afrika Mayibuye Movement in September 2025.
SHIVAMBU SAYS MAYIBUYE HAS PLANTED A SEED
While taking aim at the EFF, Shivambu defended his own movement’s first electoral outing.
Afrika Mayibuye contested the 2026 local government elections for the first time, and although it did not emerge as a major national political force, Shivambu said he was satisfied with the progress made.
He maintained that the movement deliberately built a presence across the country rather than concentrating only on a few strongholds.
Reports indicated that Afrika Mayibuye had attracted more than 72,000 votes nationally, with encouraging early results in parts of Limpopo, including Greater Giyani and Collins Chabane.
For Shivambu, the first election was about introducing the movement to South Africans and laying the foundation for future growth, particularly ahead of the 2029 national elections.
⚔️ THE POLITICAL WAR IS FAR FROM OVER!
The comments have reopened the debate about the EFF’s declining electoral support and the political fallout following Shivambu’s departure.
Some may see his criticism as a fair assessment of the EFF’s campaign, while others may question why he continues to focus so heavily on his former party instead of concentrating on building Afrika Mayibuye.
One thing is certain: the 2026 election results have delivered a serious warning to political parties that campaign promises, large rallies and entertainment events do not automatically translate into votes.
THE BIG QUESTION: HAS THE EFF LOST ITS POLITICAL MOMENTUM, OR IS THIS JUST A TEMPORARY SETBACK FOR JULIUS MALEMA’S RED BERETS?
And is Floyd Shivambu right to criticise his former party, or should he focus on proving what Afrika Mayibuye can achieve?