Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has made a bold promise to cancel the municipal debt of poor and child-headed households if his new party, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, wins the November 4 local government elections. This pledge was made during the launch of the party's election manifesto in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday. Shivambu stated that the debt would be written off through lawful municipal processes, providing relief to those who need it most.
Shivambu's party plans to go beyond just debt relief. They aim to take charge of every broken school, clinic, police station, and road in their area, regardless of which sphere of government is responsible. This approach is based on the understanding that residents do not experience separate levels of government when services are not delivered. The party's goal is to ensure that no municipality shirks its responsibility by claiming a broken facility is not their problem.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement was launched by Shivambu in September, after he defected from the EFF, a party he co-founded with Julius Malema, and later joined former president Jacob Zuma's MKP in August 2024. However, Shivambu was fired as secretary-general by MKP in June 2025 and his membership was terminated in July. The party chose Thembisa as the launch site because of its reputation as a clear example of local government failure, with residents facing challenges such as dry taps, water tankers, sewage in the streets, and broken streetlights.
According to Shivambu, Thembisa's struggles are a direct result of poor governance. He cited Parliament's records, which showed that during the 2024/25 audit, Ekurhuleni's critical information could not be verified, conditional grants were heavily underspent, and national funding was withheld due to slow project implementation. Shivambu emphasized that such failures have real-life consequences, including unrepaired roads, unupgraded sewers, unserviced settlements, and lost job opportunities.
To address these challenges, Shivambu's party plans to hire its own plumbers, electricians, and road crews instead of relying on contractors. They also intend to conduct lifestyle audits of councillors and senior officials to ensure accountability. Furthermore, Shivambu warned his own candidates against using the party for personal gain, emphasizing that councillors should prioritize service over personal benefits.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement aims to contest municipalities across the country, with Ekurhuleni being a key target. Shivambu expressed confidence that the party can win in Ekurhuleni, citing the need for disciplined organization, honest leadership, and a program that speaks to the people. He emphasized that Thembisa and Ekurhuleni deserve a government that works and delivers on its promises.
In conclusion, Shivambu's Afrika Mayibuye Movement is determined to bring about change in local governance. With a focus on debt relief, infrastructure development, and accountability, the party aims to make a positive impact in municipalities across South Africa. As the November 4 local government elections approach, it remains to be seen how voters will respond to Shivambu's promises and the party's vision for a better future.
Key points
- Afrika Mayibuye Movement plans to cancel municipal debt of poor households and take charge of broken infrastructure if they win the local government elections.
- The party aims to contest municipalities across the country, with Ekurhuleni being a key target.
- Shivambu emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in local governance, including lifestyle audits of councillors and senior officials.
