Image: @Melani_020 / X
Eric Kulani Nkovani, better known by his stage name Papa Penny, was recently announced as the newest member of Floyd Shivambu’s political party, Afrika Mayibuye Movement. However, many people online were hesitant to welcome his involvement in community affairs.
Also see: Ngizwe Mchunu and Papa Penny’s feud shows signs of thaw after reported apology
The musician-turned-politician’s arrival at the Floyd-led party was announced on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Floyd shared in an X post that Papa Penny will lead the campaign in the Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo. According to SABC News, the area, where Papa Penny served as a councillor for over a decade, was severely affected by service delivery failures.
We welcome Papa Penny to Afrika Mayibuye Movement! He will lead our campaign in Greater Giyani Municipality which will be won by Mayibuye! pic.twitter.com/MW71naeGST
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) May 20, 2026
Initially at the African National Congress (ANC), Papa Penny left the ruling party for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), led by South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma. IOL reports that the ‘Shangaan Disco King,’ who also resigned from Parliament, left the MK Party due to internal attacks, vilification, and reputational damage allegedly at the hands of the party’s Limpopo provincial leadership.
Also see: ‘Don’t destroy yourself with one Zuma gig,’ Fikile Mbalula warns Papa Penny
South Africans side-eye Papa Penny’s new AMM role
Many local members of the online community took to their X account to express their thoughts about Papa Penny’s new responsibilities.
Politician Nolubabalo Mcinga had much to say about AMM’s choice to appoint Papa Penny. A portion of her lengthy post read, “Papa Penny’s decision to join Mayibuye is, in my view, a politically risky move given the instability and competing agendas that continue to define that space in Mayibuye.”
@ViceAdmiralSA shared their opinion, writing, “This guy, he is not a politician, stop forcing him. People of Greater Giyani Municipality deserve better. Can’t you give this opportunity to the youth and stop recycling failures?”
@edo7662774 asked Floyd, “What value will he add? What difference will he bring to the lives of the people there if you win the elections? What will he do differently from what he’s been doing while he was with ANC and MKP?”
Also see: Papa Penny hits back after lack of education gets questioned
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