Big Budget, Zero Results – Floyd Shivambu Mocks Former Party After Disastrous Election Numbers

Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu has criticised the EFF’s electoral performance, saying the party had a budget and multiple music festivals but failed to persuade more than 7% of voters, even while holding positions in government. Shivambu said his new movement is nonetheless pleased to have planted a seed during the 2026 local government elections, which were tagged #LGE2026 in the video shared online.

Shivambu is a former deputy secretary-general of the EFF who left the party and launched the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, a newer force that is seeking its first real test at the ballot box. His remarks therefore carry a clear political edge, as they draw a contrast between the resources and profile the EFF has built and the modest level of support he claims it has now attracted. The 7% figure is Shivambu’s own characterisation and should be checked against the official results from the Independent Electoral Commission, which are released in stages as counting progresses.

Being a new movement, the AMM’s aim in this election is likely to be building recognition rather than winning large numbers of seats immediately. Parties that enter local contests for the first time often measure success in terms of ward candidates fielded, votes gained in particular areas, and a foothold that can be expanded before the next cycle. Describing the result as a seed suggests the party sees this election as groundwork for future growth rather than a finished verdict.

The comments also highlight a wider question for South African voters: whether the appetite for a new left-leaning or radical alternative is growing, or whether support is being fragmented among several smaller parties. The EFF remains one of the country’s most visible opposition forces, and any shift in its share of the vote would have consequences for coalition arithmetic in municipalities where no single party is expected to win an outright majority.

For residents of metros such as Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini, the practical significance of small parties lies in their potential role in councils. A party that wins a handful of seats can become decisive when larger parties must form coalitions, which means the AMM’s showing, however modest, could influence who runs key municipal departments and how budgets for water, housing and roads are allocated.

Shivambu’s criticism of the EFF also reflects a broader rivalry between former allies, and voters will weigh such claims with that background in mind. Campaign rhetoric often compares budgets, rallies and visibility, yet an election outcome is ultimately determined by how many people cast ballots and where. Analysts will look at ward-level results to see whether the AMM’s support is concentrated in particular areas or spread more widely.

Final results are expected in the coming days as votes are verified and declared municipality by municipality. Until then, the claims made by Shivambu and other party leaders remain statements of position, and the true measure of the AMM’s seed will become clearer once the official numbers are on the table.

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