Mbabama is a member of the
Democratic Alliance. In 2016, she was elected to the
National Assembly of South Africa to replace
Nqaba Bhanga. She was sworn into office on 8 November 2016. On 24 November 2016, DA parliamentary leader
Mmusi Maimane appointed her to the post of Shadow Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform. Mbabama became a member of the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform on 8 December 2016. Her appointment as Shadow Deputy Minister took effect on 1 January 2017. In June 2019, she was appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. In October 2019, she returned to the Ad Hoc committee to amend section 25 of the constitution as a non-voting member. Mbabama did not return to Parliament following the
2024 general election.
Views Mbabama has been critical of
expropriation without compensation. In March 2018, she voted against the motion. In May 2018, she blamed the ruling
African National Congress for failed land reform programmes. Mbabama said in December 2018 that the ANC was using the new Land Expropriation Bill as an "electioneering tool". ==References==