After Leaving Floyd Shivambu’s Afrika Mayibuye, Nwedo Makes Full Return to MAWUSA
In a bold move signalling a shift away from party politics, Robert Nwedo, the former deputy president of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, has announced that the Maanda Ashu Workers Union of South Africa (MAWUSA) will no longer align itself with any political parties. Speaking at a media briefing in Houghton on Monday, 1 December 2025, Nwedo declared MAWUSA’s commitment to being “politically independent,” focusing solely on advocating for the rights of temporary workers. This decision comes just days after his resignation from the fledgling political party led by Floyd Shivambu, highlighting growing tensions within Mayibuye and underscoring the challenges faced by organised labour in South Africa.
Nwedo’s departure, along with several senior leaders, has triggered a complete leadership overhaul at Afrika Mayibuye, a party founded on pan-Africanist and socialist principles. As South Africa’s labour landscape grapples with issues like precarious employment and government policies that undermine worker protections, MAWUSA’s new stance could empower vulnerable groups such as those in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Works Programme (CWP). With unemployment rates hovering around 33% and temporary jobs on the rise, this development spotlights the urgent need for independent unions to fight for fair treatment without political interference.
The Media Briefing in Houghton: A Clear Break from Politics
Robert Nwedo held the press conference in Houghton, Johannesburg, to outline his reasons for leaving Afrika Mayibuye and to reaffirm his dedication to MAWUSA. The event, attended by journalists and union representatives, marked a pivotal moment for the trade unionist, who has long been involved in workers’ advocacy.
“Nwedo said MAWUSA (Maanda-Ashu Workers Union of SA) will no longer lend itself and the workers it represents to political parties. He said MAWUSA will now be ‘politically independent.’” This announcement emphasises the union’s resolve to operate free from partisan influences, allowing it to prioritise workers’ issues without the distractions of political alliances. Nwedo stressed that this independence would enable MAWUSA to hold all parties accountable, regardless of ideology, ensuring that temporary workers’ voices are heard in policy discussions.
The briefing also served as a platform for Nwedo to address his abrupt exit from Mayibuye, which he tendered on 25 November 2025. In his resignation letter, shared on social media, he expressed gratitude for the experience but confirmed his immediate withdrawal to concentrate on union matters. “I would like to appreciate and thank the learning and experience gained through my involvement in building Mayibuye,” he wrote, signing off with “revolutionary regards.”
Reasons for Leaving Mayibuye: Balancing Politics and Union Responsibilities
Nwedo’s decision to step away from Afrika Mayibuye stems from the demands of his dual roles, which he admitted led to neglect of his union duties. As deputy president of the party, founded by former EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu in September 2024, Nwedo was deeply involved in building the movement’s structure. However, this commitment created a gap in his leadership at MAWUSA.
“Nwedo said his work at Mayibuye led him to neglect the union. ‘There was a circular 14 2025/26 from the Department of Cooperative Governance (COGTA) which was very brutal and gives workers no single rights as if they are already in the cemetery. Due to my commitment as deputy president of Mayibuye, that circular was issued in September, and I saw it in November. clearly, there was a vacuum between the workers and me,’ he said.”
This admission highlights the personal toll of political involvement on labour leaders. Nwedo, a seasoned trade unionist, was appointed to bring worker perspectives to Mayibuye, which champions socialist ideals, inequality reduction, land reform, and pan-Africanism. Yet, the party’s internal dynamics and his responsibilities there overshadowed urgent union issues, prompting his full pivot back to MAWUSA.
His resignation was the second blow to Mayibuye’s leadership in recent months. In early November 2025, second deputy president Nolubabalo Mcinga was suspended and later fired, amid suspicions of factional infighting. Party spokesperson Sydney Baloyi described Nwedo’s exit as “unexpected,” noting that the movement is now preparing for its inaugural national convention from 5 to 7 December 2025, where leadership vacancies will be filled.
The COGTA Circular: Exposing Brutal Treatment of Temporary Workers
A key catalyst for Nwedo’s renewed focus on MAWUSA was the controversial Circular 14 of 2025/26 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). Issued in September 2025, the directive has been criticised for stripping temporary workers of basic rights, treating them as disposable labour without protections for fair wages, job security, or health benefits.
Nwedo labelled the circular “very brutal,” arguing it consigns workers to conditions akin to being “already in the cemetery.” His delayed awareness of the document—only discovering it in November due to his Mayibuye commitments—underscored the “vacuum” he mentioned. This oversight fueled his determination to strengthen MAWUSA’s advocacy, ensuring such policies are challenged promptly.
The circular affects thousands in government-funded programmes like EPWP and CWP, which provide short-term jobs in infrastructure, community services, and environmental projects. These initiatives, while aimed at alleviating poverty, often leave participants in precarious positions with minimal rights. Experts note that without strong union intervention, workers face exploitation, including unfair dismissals and unsafe conditions, exacerbating South Africa’s inequality crisis.
Background on MAWUSA: Advocating for the Vulnerable in Precarious Employment
Established to represent marginalised workers, the Maanda Ashu Workers Union of South Africa (MAWUSA) focuses on those in temporary and informal sectors. As interim president, Nwedo has positioned the union as a fighter for rights in areas often overlooked by larger labour federations like COSATU.
MAWUSA primarily supports individuals in EPWP and CWP, programmes that employ over a million people annually but are plagued by issues like low stipends (around R1,000-R2,000 monthly) and lack of permanence. The union advocates for better contracts, skills training, and transitions to full-time roles. Beyond government programmes, MAWUSA fights for workers’ rights across various sectors, including support for poor citizens facing economic hardships.
Nwedo’s trade union background made him a natural fit for Mayibuye, but his return to MAWUSA signals a strategic retreat to grassroots organising. By declaring political independence, the union aims to avoid being co-opted, allowing it to lobby across the political spectrum for reforms like revising the COGTA circular and improving labour laws.
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