Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has stirred the student politics arena once again, declaring that he was the original architect of the EFF Student Command (EFFSC) — and claiming it crumbled after his departure.
In a bold statement, Shivambu said the once-powerful student wing lost direction once he exited the red berets, hinting that its disbandment was inevitable without his leadership.
Now, with the formation of his new political party Mayibuye iAfrika, Shivambu is gearing up to reclaim space on university campuses across South Africa. He announced plans to launch a new student movement under Mayibuye’s banner — one that he says will “champion progressive politics” and defend authentic student activism.
The move signals a clear intent to disrupt the current student political landscape, where the EFFSC and ANC-aligned SASCO have long battled for dominance. Shivambu’s re-entry into campus politics could shake things up, especially as institutions brace for the return of student protests around fees, accommodation, and academic exclusion.
Whether this new formation gains traction or not, one thing is certain: Floyd Shivambu isn’t done shaping student politics — he’s just changing the colours.
