Boy Mamabolo Challenges IEC After Party Registration Rejection Over Mandela Name

Former ANC Member of Parliament Boy Mamabolo is standing firm despite the Independent Electoral Commission rejecting his bid to register a new political party called Mandela for President. The IEC raised concerns about the party name and colours, saying they could confuse voters, but Mamabolo insists he will continue pushing forward.

The commission said Mamabolo’s application fell short because it did not meet the required number of valid signatures and the minimum threshold of registered voters for party registration. Additionally, the IEC warned that using the name Mandela, combined with green and gold colours similar to those of the ANC, might mislead the public.

Mamabolo, however, strongly disagrees with the commission’s assessment. In a recent interview, he explained that the Mandela name is widely used by businesses and organisations throughout South Africa, and he sees no reason it should be off limits for a political party. He said he has no plans to change the party’s name, despite objections from the ANC and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

“There are countless companies and organisations with the Mandela name in this country,” Mamabolo said. “It is a name that belongs to the people, not just one political party. I will stand by the name Mandela for President. We will submit our revised documents soon, but the name is not negotiable.”

The ANC and the Mandela Foundation have lodged formal complaints with the IEC, arguing that Mamabolo’s use of Nelson Mandela’s name is inappropriate and could mislead voters. They also contend that the legacy of the country’s first democratic president should not be exploited for political gain.

Boy Mamabolo’s strained relationship with the ANC goes beyond the party name dispute. He was suspended in April 2025 after making inflammatory remarks about fellow ANC members on social media. Among the comments that sparked outrage was his criticism of a deceased former Youth League member and accusations about misconduct within the party ranks. The ANC stated these actions damaged the party’s reputation and has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Mamabolo.

Adding to his conflict with the ANC, Mamabolo is also taking legal action against the party, claiming that he was unfairly removed from the candidate list ahead of the 2021 elections.

His attempt to launch Mandela for President follows his exit from the ANC and appears to be an effort to carve out a new political path. Yet his defiance in using the Mandela name has raised questions and drawn mixed reactions from the public.

Some South Africans see Mamabolo’s use of the name as a tribute to the ideals Nelson Mandela stood for, while others believe it is a political tactic that disrespects the late president’s legacy.

As Mamabolo prepares to resubmit his application to the IEC on August 1, the commission will need to decide whether the party can meet the legal requirements and address the concerns raised by the ANC and other stakeholders.

For now, Mamabolo is determined to continue his political journey on his terms. “I want to make it clear that I am not backing down,” he said. “This is about more than a name. It is about giving South Africans a new voice and honouring Mandela’s vision in a way that serves the people.”