- Julius Malema clarified that he has no personal relationship with Jacob Zuma, stating they are merely political counterparts as leaders of the EFF and MKP, respectively.
- As several prominent EFF figures, including Dali Mpofu, Floyd Shivambu, and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, defect to the MKP, Malema affirmed the EFF’s resilience and future-focused vision.
- Malema, attending Botswana’s presidential inauguration, insisted that internal party changes won’t distract from the EFF’s commitment to growth and stability.
EFF leader Julius Malema dismissed rumors of a personal alliance with MK Party (MKP) leader Jacob Zuma, describing their association as strictly political during his address to media at President Duma Boko’s inauguration in Botswana. Responding to questions about recent high-profile defections of EFF members to the MKP, Malema stated plainly, “I don’t have any relationship with [former] president Zuma. We are political contenders. He is leader of a political party, I’m leader of a political party. That’s where our relationship starts and ends.”
Several prominent EFF members, including former chairperson Dali Mpofu, Floyd Shivambu, and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, have recently shifted allegiance to the MKP, a party associated with Zuma’s support for veterans and liberation-era ideals. While some speculated that this might destabilize the EFF, Malema dismissed the idea, emphasizing that the party remains strong and united. “The EFF is our own child, our baby, and we will decide what we do with it. The EFF is the future, and it cannot be destabilized by opportunism,” he asserted.
Despite the shifting political landscape and former allies moving to the MKP, Malema insisted that these developments wouldn’t deter his focus or commitment to the EFF. His appearance at Botswana’s presidential inauguration underscores his belief that the EFF’s vision is stable and forward-looking, even as new challenges emerge.
President @Julius_S_Malema tells the SABC that the EFF is fine, it cannot be destroyed by people who did not build it.
He says the EFF is the future and cannot be destroyed by opportunism.
The CIC is in Botswana for the inauguration of Botswana’s new President, Duma Boko. pic.twitter.com/syguP5wZQN
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 8, 2024
The exit of EFF members to the MKP has resulted in the former parliament progressive caucus allies’ relationship being at odds, with some in the EFF rejecting suggestions the parties unite to form an opposition bloc.
The MKP’s participation in the May 29 elections cost the EFF as it took over as the party with the third-highest number of votes.
The MKP received 4,584,864 (14.58%) votes and the EFF 3,090,020 (9.52%).
Before the elections, Zuma and Malema were friendly to each other.
When Malema turned 43 in March, Zuma sent him public birthday wishes.
He said: “You are now 43. That is a very good age in the circumstances in which we are. I want to wish you a happy birthday and wish you and all of us to change the country this year, whether they like it or not. We must win with a two-thirds majority.”
