Former MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has begun the process of forming a new political party, which he has named Mawisa.
Floyd Shivambu launches new political party
Shivambu made the announcement during a media briefing at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand, Gauteng, on Thursday.
His decision comes after being demoted from his position as SG (Secretary-General) to a Member of Parliament (MP) in the MK Party, following internal disputes and what he described as “superstitious” and false accusations.
Shivambu said Mawisa would not be a personal project, but a collective movement formed in consultation with various leaders and citizens across the country.
“Over the next few months, we will be consulting all the traditional and church leaders… We will be seeking the wisdom of ordinary South Africans, including Michael Nkuna, Irvin Khoza, Patrice Motsepe,” he explained.
He also made it clear that despite starting a new political movement, he has not officially left the MK Party.
“I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe. I will never resign from uMkhonto weSizwe,” he stated, referring to the political party founded in support of former President Jacob Zuma.
Shivambu said the idea behind Mawisa is to create a party shaped by public consultation, asking South Africans not only if they support the idea, but also what values and structure the new party should follow.
What he said about the EFF and MK Party
Shivambu also used the platform to speak about his removal as MK Party SG. He claimed that party officials accused him of plotting to remove Jacob Zuma from leadership, citing a bizarre intelligence report.
He said the report accused him of trying to gain “supernatural powers” and that a decapitated head would be delivered to him as part of this scheme.
“We rejected that with contempt. That is absolute rubbish,” he said.
He added, “There is nothing that I will ever do privately which I cannot own up publicly,” even offering his phone as evidence against the claim that he ever discussed a plan to oust Zuma.
Shivambu’s demotion followed an unauthorised visit to the church of Shepherd Bushiri, a controversial Malawian religious leader currently wanted in South Africa. Shivambu’s visit was reportedly not in line with the MK Party’s official stance, contributing to his removal.
During the briefing, Shivambu also criticised his former political home, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), though not by name. He referred to it as a “cult,” a term often used to describe political groups where questioning leadership is discouraged and dissent is punished.
Internal divisions in the MK Party, including opposition from a faction in Mpumalanga and several traditional leaders, reportedly played a key role in Shivambu’s removal from the SG post.
Shivambu said the Mawisa consultations would continue and that the core leadership team guiding the formation process will be announced next week. He emphasised that the new party would be inclusive and guided by public opinion.
“We do not want to do that as a personal project or a group of friends. We will be going to the ground to speak to the people,” he concluded.