Julius Malema: Rise of South Africa’s Firebrand Politician Giving Ramaphosa Sleepless Nights

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema known for his fiery outspoken nature and inspiring oratory could potentially become a kingmaker in South Africa should African National Congress (ANC) lose its majority in Wednesday’s May 29 election.

South Africa’s incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has stamped his reputation on cleaning up the image of the ruling ANC will lead the party toward its biggest test of the democratic era in the elections.

Ramaphosa has struggled to lift economic growth, make a dent in high unemployment with a third of South Africans jobless, or end crippling power cuts – all of which voters are expected to punish the ANC for at the ballot box.

Opinion polls predict that ANC could lose its majority for the first time in 30 years and the 71-year-old Ramaphosa is less likely to see a second term in office.

Ramaphosa and the ANC are struggling to keep their parliamentary majority, with several opinion polls showing the party’s support at less than 50% ahead of Wednesday’s election.

South Africa’s Presidential Candidates

Without an outright majority, ANC would need to form a coalition to remain in government and secure Ramaphosa’s second and final term as president.

John Steenhuisen who rose through the ranks of the Democratic Alliance (DA) party before being appointed as their leader in 2020 is also in the race for the country’s top seat.

Others include former DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, who now fronts Build One South Africa, a new liberal party and former Johannesburg mayor, Herman Mashaba heading ActionSA party.

Ex-journalist Songezo Zibi fronts Rise Mzansi, a center-left group, and Gayton Mckenzie, a convicted-robber-turned-motivational-speaker, who now leads the right-wing, anti-immigration Patriotic Alliance.

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Rise of Julius Malema in Politics

Born the son of a domestic worker for an Indian family in Limpopo, North of Johannesburg, Julius Malema was politically active from a young age.

At the age of nine, Malema reportedly joined the Masupatsela (Young Pioneers or Trailblazers) group of the ANC where, according to him, their main task was to remove National Party posters placed outside police stations. 

He would later join the ANC Youth League in 1994 and swiftly rose to assume local and regional leadership positions within the organization.

In April 2008, Malema narrowly won the presidency of the ANC Youth League during a contentious group conference where he occupied the position until 2012.

Malema rose to national prominence as an outspoken supporter of Jacob Zuma, the then-ANC president and later President of South Africa.

However, Malema’s relationship with Zuma strained immensely after numerous disciplinary actions by the ANC party.

By 2012, Malema was actively campaigning for Zuma’s removal from office ahead of the ANC’s 53rd National Conference.

Founding of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party

In April of the same year, months before the conference, ANC expelled Malema over accusations of bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division.

After months of discussing the formation of a new party, Malema announced the launch of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in July 2013, declaring himself as the commander in chief.

This populist far-left political party is recognizable by the red berets and military-style outfits worn by its members. It styles itself as a “radical, leftist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement,” aimed to fight for economic emancipation.

Also Read: Why South African Election is a Massive Milestone for the Ruling ANC

In 2014 Malema was elected Member of Parliament in the National Assembly securing 25 seats for the EFF following the fourth democratic National Elections.

While his followers affectionately call him “Juju” – short for Julius – Malema’s detractors prefer names like “firebrand”, “militant” “clown” or “populist”.

However, Malema’s wealth and lifestyle have attracted criticism from political rivals who deride his penchant for flashy cars, gold watches, champagne and luxury mansions in leafy suburbs.

According to his critics, the lifestyle seems to contradict his populist message.

He sold one such mansion, complete with a cinema and a cigar lounge to pay off $1 million (Ksh132,500,000) in tax arrears.

Corruption Allegations and Criticisms

Malema has been convicted of hate speech twice: once in March 2010 for demeaning comments about Zuma’s rape accuser, and again in September 2011 for singing “Dubul’ ibhunu” (“Shoot the Boer”).

Likewise, in 2012, authorities charged him with fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.

However, after numerous postponements, the courts dismissed the case in 2015 due to repeated delays by the National Prosecuting Authority, leading to perceptions that the charges were politically motivated.

Furthermore, in September 2012, the South African Revenue Service claimed that Malema owed almost $2 million (Ksh 264,000,000) in unpaid taxes and obtained a judgment to collect the money.

Yet, in a nation in which the main populist issue is hostility towards migrants from other African countries, his party is the only one that seeks to repeal policies that hinder the free movement of Africans.

Education

Malema graduated from Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego before completing a two-year diploma in youth development through the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2010.

He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and African languages from UNISA in March 2016, followed by an Honours degree in philosophy in 2017.

The EFF leader later enrolled in a master’s degree program at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2018.

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