Nyiko Floyd Shivambu (born 1 January 1983) is a South African politician. He has held senior positions in several political parties, most prominently as deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from its founding in 2013 until August 2024, and subsequently as secretary‑general of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) from November 2024 to June 2025. In September 2025 he became the founder and leader of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, a political organisation advocating Marxist‑Leninist principles.
Early life and education
Shivambu was born in Mahonisi, a rural village in Malamulele, Limpopo Province (then Transvaal Province). He was one of seven children in a family that survived on informal trading. He completed secondary education at Mphambo High School in 2001. He enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, initially intending to train as a technician, but later switched to political studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree, an honours degree in Political Studies and International Relations, and a master’s degree with distinction in political studies (2014). While at Wits, he served as president of the Student Representative Council (2004‑2005) and became active in the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). In 2018 he was accepted to pursue a doctoral programme at the Wits School of Governance, focusing on transformation policies and ownership of JSE‑listed companies.
Political career
Student leadership (2004‑2012)
Shivambu’s early political activity included serving as a Students Representative for the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (2006‑2007) and as a national executive member of the South African Students Congress. He also held board positions with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
Economic Freedom Fighters (2013‑2024)
In July 2013 Shivambu became a founding member of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a left‑wing, pan‑Africanist party led by Julius Malema. He was appointed deputy president and served as the party’s parliamentary chief whip in the National Assembly of South Africa from May 2014 until his resignation in August 2024. During his tenure he was a member of the Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee, the Standing Committee on Finance, and represented South Africa in the Pan‑African Parliament, serving on the Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Committee.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (2024‑2025)
After leaving the EFF, Shivambu joined Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and was appointed secretary‑general in November 2024. He held the post until his dismissal in June 2025.
Afrika Mayibuye Movement (2025–present)
On 5 September 2025 Shivambu founded the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, assuming the role of national convenor. The movement positions itself as a Marxist‑Leninist organization seeking radical socio‑economic transformation in South Africa.
Parliamentary service
- Member of the National Assembly of South Africa (21 May 2014 – 15 August 2024)
- Member of the Pan‑African Parliament (dates within EFF tenure)
Personal life
Shivambu married Siphesihle Pezi‑Shivambu in 2017; the couple has one child, Katekani Shivambu. He has a brother, Brian Shivambu.
References
Information summarized from publicly available biographical entries and news reports, including the Wikipedia article on Floyd Shivambu (accessed via a public web archive).