Cape Town — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, revealed that his once-strong relationship with uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) leader, Jacob Zuma, is now a thing of the past.
Malema and Zuma have shared a great history during their respective tenures as leaders of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and the African National Congress (ANC). They have since parted ways with the ANC and have enjoyed a relationship of mutual respect as political rivals.
While attending the inauguration of Botswanan President, Duma Boko, Malema addressed the issue of former EFF members who left to join Zuma’s MK Party, including Floyd Shivambu, Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Dali Mpofu, and said the party remains strong.
“It can’t fall apart because you can’t destroy that which you have not built. It’s our own child, it’s our baby and we will decide what we do with it. The EFF is the future, and it cannot be destabilised by opportunism,” he said.
He was asked about his relationship with Zuma.
“I don’t have any relationship with [former] president Zuma. We are political contenders. He is the leader of a political party, I’m the leader of a political party. That’s where our relationship starts and ends. Where we agree on issues we will share a common perspective. Where we disagree, we’ll disagree respectfully,” he concluded.
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
According to TimesLIVE, he emphasised the party’s issues would not distract from the inauguration.
“We are not having internal issues. We are here to celebrate democracy in action. There is no issue happening in South Africa which can destabilise the organisation from coming to observe this moment and respect the people of Botswana. We come a long way with the president of Botswana. We were not going to miss this opportunity,” he said.
The MK Party overtook the EFF as South Africa’s 3rd biggest party during the 2024 general elections. The MK received 4 584 864 (14.58%) votes and the EFF 3 090 020 (9.52%).
President @Julius_S_Malema in conversation with @Sophie_Mokoena in Botswana, ahead of the inauguration of Botswana’s new President, Duma Boko.
President says we are in Botswana to celebrate democracy in action, adding that nothing is happening back home that could destabilise… pic.twitter.com/bQHGa3nyAh
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 8, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
