Afrika Mayibuye announces Skeem GP as Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate
Afrika Mayibuye Movement has announced Themba Lukhele, better known as Skeem GP, as its mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni ahead of the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
The announcement was made on Saturday, 5 September, as the party marked its first anniversary and unveiled some of its Gauteng mayoral candidates.
Party president Floyd Shivambu said the candidates were selected following consultations with party members, supporters and communities.
Prince Mokotedi was named as the party’s Tshwane mayoral candidate, while Shivambu did not disclose its candidate for Johannesburg.
Lukhele, who grew up in Katlehong on the East Rand, is a former inmate who went on to become a podcaster, author, television personality and founder of the Skeem GP Foundation.
The foundation focuses on community development, youth empowerment and the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders. Lukhele has also spoken publicly about his prison experience and efforts to help young people avoid crime.
His move into politics became more prominent in 2025, when he said he had always been political and was joining Floyd Shivambu’s political project after previously operating from the sidelines.
Afrika Mayibuye says it plans to contest all 4,468 wards across South Africa, as well as all local, district and metropolitan municipalities. The party is expected to launch its election manifesto in Tembisa on 19 September.
Ekurhuleni is expected to be one of the closely contested metros in the elections. The DA has already named Khathutshelo Rasilingwane as its mayoral candidate, while the EFF has selected Nthabiseng Tshivhenga and ActionSA has chosen Xolani Khumalo. The MK Party has named Thulani Shongwe as its candidate.
With the election campaign gathering momentum, Shivambu used Saturday’s event to criticise rival political parties and outline Mayibuye’s ambitions ahead of the polls.
