EKURHULENI, Gauteng — The Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s (AMM) Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Themba “Skeem GP” Nzimande, is fiercely defending his readiness to lead the troubled metropolitan municipality, brushing off intense public scrutiny regarding his lack of formal political experience and his history as a former convict.
Ahead of the highly anticipated November local government elections, Nzimande’s candidacy has drawn mixed reactions from the public. However, the candidate insists his political run is a “calling” rather than a mere publicity stunt. Pointing to two decades of grassroots community work, leadership experience, and a successful career in media and podcasting, Nzimande argues he has a proven track record of conquering new challenges and succeeding against the odds.
During a recent sit-down interview addressing the metro’s severe financial pressures, deteriorating service delivery, and years of political instability, the mayoral hopeful faced intense grilling on his qualifications to manage a complex, multi-billion-rand organization. Admitting openly that he is “not a politician” and is currently learning the ropes of governance, Nzimande emphasized that he will not govern in isolation. Instead, he plans to rely on an “army” of skilled advisers and the strategic guidance of the party’s leadership, specifically citing the rigorous mentorship of Afrika Mayibuye President Floyd Shivambu and the party’s politburo.
Nzimande painted a grim and detailed picture of systemic corruption within the municipality, describing the city’s financial management as a “bucket of water with holes.” He alleged widespread extortion where service providers are forced to pay 10% kickbacks just to receive payment for their invoices, alongside an additional 30% “protection” fee demanded by local factions just to operate within the city limits. Furthermore, he highlighted massive revenue collection leaks, claiming that large corporate electricity consumers allegedly strike under-the-table deals to write off hundreds of millions in municipal debt by paying a fraction into compromised accounts.
Highlighting the visible decay in infrastructure and law enforcement, the candidate lamented the loss of municipal traffic robots, which he claims are now informally controlled by unregulated street operators. He also pointed out the metro’s lack of global and national prestige, noting the city’s failure to host international convention events or premier PSL soccer games. Additionally, he criticized the state of local law enforcement, citing instances where traffic officers lack official ticket books or are forced to patrol in private vehicles.
When pressed on whether his massive social media following and podcasting success translate to municipal governance, Nzimande remained defiant. He highlighted his podcast, which currently ranks as the second most popular in its category, and his tenure running a top-rated, number-one trending show on Moja Love. Beyond entertainment, he emphasized his frontline advocacy work as a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) champion, and his active campaigns against bullying, early teenage pregnancy, and issues surrounding illegal immigration.
Crucially, when asked if he would step aside for a more capable, experienced candidate should the Afrika Mayibuye Movement win the metro, Nzimande firmly refused. Stating he would not “take a rain check” on leadership, he affirmed he is fully prepared to serve as the primary decision-maker surrounded by experts. To counter arguments regarding his lack of academic governance credentials, he drew parallels to former South African President Jacob Zuma, noting that formal honors degrees are not the sole prerequisite for leading a nation or a city.
As the November elections approach, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement is banking on Nzimande’s unorthodox background, grassroots mobilization skills, and fierce anti-establishment rhetoric to disrupt the political landscape and restore service delivery in Ekurhuleni.
