Lately, South African politics has been buzzing after Floyd Shivambu was demoted from his position as secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Soon after, he made headlines again by announcing a consultation to discuss the possibility of starting a new political party. His time in the MKP was rocky with messy internal politics, and a lot of noise around his visit to the controversial preacher Shepherd Bushiri, who’s still a wanted man for fraud, money laundering, and theft.

He’s also publicly spoken against his former allies, referring to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as a “cult,” and criticised MKP’s leadership, calling them “political scoundrels”. Not to mention, he has accused them of making claims that he looked for “supernatural powers” to remove party leader Jacob Zuma.

explain spoke to independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego, a former political journalist, who has written political pieces and contributed commentary for outlets like City Press, Sowetan Live, and The Star. Together, we look into what Shivambu’s potential move signals about South Africa’s political space and broader impact.

Political analyst Goodenough Mashego/ Supplied

What does the potential move by Floyd Shivambu to start a new party signal about the current state of South Africa’s political landscape?

It shows how South African politics has become a means to an end for many. It’s a career. When someone is in a political party, their interest isn’t always about working for the people. Most politicians view politics primarily as a way to make a living. That’s why you see so many jumping from one party to another. If someone can’t be accommodated by one party, they start their own. Post-apartheid politics is often about using politics to survive.

So, for Floyd Shivambu to even contemplate starting a new party at his press conference, it reflects that he’s uncomfortable with his income or career prospects. South Africa doesn’t need a new voice; the political landscape is already crowded. There’s no space right now for a new political party to emerge, but there might be room for him to make a difference in civil society forums rather than parliament. His move highlights how politics has become a career for many, not a way to serve the people.

Do breakaway political movements represent a healthy evolution of democracy, or do they risk fragmenting the political space further?

They risk frustrating people because, at the end of the day, voters don’t know what these parties stand for. Take COPE, for example, founded in 2008. They performed reasonably well in the 2009 election, but it didn’t offer anything distinct. The proliferation of these parties risks frustrating people to the point where the so-called “black voice” gets split. Right now, there’s no unified “black rising.” Black political parties don’t have a shared vision, unlike white parties like the FF+ or Democratic Alliance, which share clear stances against affirmative action, black empowerment, and land restitution.

The problem with black parties is that they pull in different directions. Many wouldn’t be an issue if there were clarity on their goals, but there isn’t. Some black parties even collaborate with white parties in governance, which muddles the waters. In a society with a clear vision for black parties, you’d know that voting for the PAC, AZAPO, MK Party, or EFF means no collaboration with FF+. But right now, the rise of new parties causes more frustration than confusion. People say, “I don’t like the ANC, so I’ll vote EFF.” That’s a sentiment of frustration, not confusion.

How do such moves affect the stability and functioning of the Government of National Unity (GNU)?

The GNU, as a governing coalition, isn’t heavily affected by movements in opposition parties. Politicians have been jumping between opposition parties like from EFF to MKP or elsewhere but those in the GNU have shown relative stability. They’re incumbents, enjoying the perks of power, so there’s less movement. If this kind of shuffling happened inside the GNU, it would create problems, but we haven’t seen that level of turmoil there. In the GNU, parties may not like each other, but they tolerate each other because they’re all benefiting from being in government. The real drama is among opposition parties.

Do new political parties offer real solutions to South Africa’s challenges, or do they contribute to voter confusion and disengagement?

They don’t offer much. Even the EFF, led by someone who was once young, doesn’t deliver for youth. South Africa’s biggest challenge is joblessness, not just unemployment, but the lack of opportunities for the qualified. Every province in South Africa has economic drivers like tourism, mining, or agriculture, but new parties don’t decentralise their thinking. You can’t have one manifesto for a diverse country like South Africa. A party in the Free State should focus on agriculture or mining to create jobs for youth, but no party does this. They all talk broadly about “jobs” without specifics. New parties just add to voter disengagement by offering nothing new.

The Minister of Finance has called for public funding for political parties. What are the challenges around funding for new political parties, and how transparent are these processes compared to established parties?

The funding framework in South Africa favours big, established parties. To start a party, you need a significant number of signatures and upfront money, with no refund if you don’t win. This financial barrier is deliberately designed by those in power to keep new players out. Even recent electoral amendments have made it harder for new candidates or parties to enter the race. Compared to established parties, new ones struggle with transparency because they lack access to the same funding networks and public scrutiny, making it more challenging to establish or register a party.

Shivambu’s sudden demotion from the MKP and his idea to possibly start a new party have sparked debates about where our politics is going. As Mashego points out, this shows a bigger problem: in South Africa, politics often seems more about personal gain than truly helping the people.

lona@explain.co.za |  + posts

Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.