IEC rejects registration of Boy Mamabolo’s party

The IEC has clarified why it rejected the registration of the “Mandela for President” party founded by ANC member Jacob Boy Mamabolo.

The silent groundwork on whether or not to establish a political party for Boy Mamabolo and his allies began in April.

On 23 May 2025, Mamabolo brought before the Independent Electoral Commission [IEC] an application to register the “Mandela for President” party, with other sidelined members of the ANC.

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Mamabolo’s suspension in ANC was recently lifted despite dragging its leaders in Limpopo and the National Executive Committee to court.

The news of his new political party leaked through a photo published on social media on Monday.

However, the commission moved swiftly to clarify that his application was rejected for several violations, including that the name “Mandela for President” associated green and black colours may be construed by voters as connected to founding President Nelson Mandela.

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“In the preamble of their constitution, the party proclaims that their founding convener is Mandela Jacob Boy Mamabolo. However, in our registration records in respect of the party leader, he appears as only Jacob Boy Mamabolo, which suggests that a material aspect in the registration of the party may have been misrepresented. The party remains unregistered,” said the IEC.

But, Mamabolo argued that over 1000 signatures were sought across the nine provinces and that most parties had similar colours, which weren’t “a new thing”.

He also said an overwhelming request followed – to form a political party – by ordinary citizens who have pea-sized faith in especially ANC’s leadership patterns, often associated with malfeasance.

“The plan was to officially launch much later, if registered, because I only expected a response from IEC in about two months time,” he said.