‘I Don’t Regret Malawi’: Floyd Shivambu Addresses Bushiri Visit
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu has broken his silence on his controversial Easter trip to Malawi, where he met self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, insisting he has no regrets about attending a church service there. In a rare sit-down interview with Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma on the Politics Weekly podcast, Shivambu defended the visit as part of broader engagements with political and religious figures, while dismissing criticism as misplaced. “I don’t regret having gone to the church service there,” he said, emphasising his respect for diverse religious beliefs as long as they cause no harm. The encounter, which took place in April 2025, sparked backlash and contributed to his expulsion from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party two months later, amid claims it damaged the organisation’s image. Shivambu, however, maintains the real reasons for his ousting were internal power struggles and fears he might challenge former president Jacob Zuma’s leadership.
This revelation comes as South Africa’s political landscape heats up ahead of future elections, with Shivambu’s new movement positioning itself as a force for “total freedom and emancipation now.” The interview, released on 5 October 2025, also delved into his journey from rural Limpopo to national politics, his fallout with EFF leader Julius Malema, and lingering questions about the VBS Mutual Bank scandal. As debates rage over politicians’ associations with figures like Bushiri – a fugitive wanted in South Africa on charges of fraud, money laundering, and rape – Shivambu’s unapologetic stance has reignited discussions on ethics, religion, and accountability in public life.
Shivambu’s Defence of the Bushiri Meeting
During the podcast, Shivambu explained that his Malawi trip in April 2025 primarily involved meetings with political leaders, including then-deputy president Joyce Banda, at Zuma’s urging. He added that visiting Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church was a side engagement, where he addressed a congregation of over 10,000, many of them South Africans. “I went to Malawi to meet with the political leadership in Malawi when I was there. And then I went to meet with Prophet Shepherd Bushiri as well,” he stated, noting the church’s massive following of upward of 500,000 members in South Africa alone.
Shivambu rejected calls to apologise, arguing he would never delegitimise any faith. “I will never treat any religious belief as illegitimate. I don’t never delegitimize any religious belief as long as that religious belief is not harmful to society,” he said. He highlighted his interactions with various religious groups, including the Nazareth Baptist Church and Zion Christian Church, to underscore his point. Despite Bushiri fleeing South Africa in November 2020 after being granted bail on serious charges – including defrauding congregants through fake investment schemes and violating bail conditions – Shivambu maintained the visit was personal and not reflective of MK Party policy.
The MK Party distanced itself at the time, issuing a statement that Shivambu attended in his individual capacity. However, the fallout was swift, leading to his removal as secretary-general in June 2025. In earlier interviews, such as one with Newzroom Afrika in May 2025, Shivambu reiterated he had “nothing to apologise for,” claiming the criticism was “unnecessarily misplaced.” Political analysts suggest the incident exposed tensions within MK, with some viewing it as a pretext for purging perceived threats to Zuma’s control.
Reflections on Political Breakups and VBS Scandal
Shivambu used the interview to reflect on his exits from previous parties, describing them as principled stands against wrongdoing. He recounted resigning from the ANC in 2012 after his suspension, then founding the EFF in 2013 and inviting Malema to join. “I was not expelled from the ANC. I was suspended. I resigned from the ANC and then I started the Economic Freedom Fighters and invited him to be part of it,” he clarified.
His departure from the EFF in 2024 stemmed from discomfort with practices he deemed unacceptable, including retreats from core principles like abolishing tenders. “There was just a lot of wrongdoing which we called against,” he said, without elaborating, noting the party’s conduct mirrored the ANC’s flaws once in power. Malema publicly expressed devastation, likening it to losing a family member, but Shivambu insisted the split was necessary. “I can’t associate with things that I can’t believe in,” he added.
On the VBS scandal, where his brother Brian was implicated in receiving illicit payments, Shivambu distanced himself entirely. “It has got nothing to do with me,” he stated, pointing out his name does not appear in official reports. The 2018 collapse of VBS Bank led to losses of over R2 billion, with allegations of looting involving politicians and officials. Investigations by the South African Reserve Bank and forensic probes cleared Shivambu of direct involvement, but public perceptions linger. He dismissed concerns, saying, “I can’t overexplain. If people want to misunderstand, let them do it.”
From Rural Roots to Revolutionary Vision
Shivambu shared his humble beginnings in Malamulele village, Limpopo, where he grew up without electricity or libraries but excelled in school leadership from grade eight. “I spent my first 18 years in the village there,” he recalled, crediting early student politics for shaping him. At Vits University, he studied social sciences after initial plans for engineering fell through, earning degrees in political studies and development studies.
He emphasised education’s role in politics, criticising uneducated leaders for lacking coherent ideas. “Political leadership should be about provision of solutions,” he argued, praising China’s meritocracy as a model. Shivambu positioned Mayibuye as a movement for immediate action, not just elections, with programmes addressing health, education, and economic issues now.
Mayibuye’s Ideology and Future Plans
Shivambu outlined Mayibuye’s focus on “total political, economic, and cultural freedom,” drawing from scientific socialism proven in China and Vietnam. He criticised capitalism’s failures in Africa and vowed to abolish tenders, build infrastructure, and foster Pan-African unity. On immigration, the movement opposes undocumented entry but supports continental development to curb economic migration.
Funding comes from members through mutually beneficial programmes, rejecting external donors like the Oppenheimers. “We don’t want to find ourselves justifying why we should have tenders,” he said. Shivambu dismissed being funded lavishly, noting consultation costs were minimal, and pledged transparency.
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