Latest news with #Malema
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
No, Malema, the UK is not a bully
The UK is not bullying Malema by refusing him entry. Sovereign nations decide who crosses their borders based on national interest. Surely, EFF leader Julius Malema could not have been surprised that the government of the United Kingdom turned down his request for a visitor's visa? Much as he might weep and wail about the colonial masters again abusing African people, the reality is that London is quite entitled to decide who it allows through its borders. And, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, to allow Malema to enter the UK 'would not be conducive to the public good'. Apart from the UK government's concern that he had refused, in a 2022 Equality Court hearing in South Africa, to commit to not repeating calls for the 'slaughter of white people', the Home Office also noted he had voiced support for the Palestinian organisation Hamas. ALSO READ: Banned again: Malema's presence not 'conducive to the public good', say UK authorities The organisation is classed as 'terrorist' in the UK and expressing support for it is a crime, as Liam O'Hanna, a member of Irish rap group Kneecap, found out when he was charged this week for a terrorism offence after allegedly waving a Hamas flag at a concert. The mood of much of the West would have been influenced by footage US President Donald Trump showed recently of Malema's rendition of Kill the Boer. This visa refusal probably won't be the last for Malema.
Daily Maverick
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Floyd Shivambu to step out of the shadow of Malema and Zuma, but his future is uncertain
Floyd Shivambu, the perennial sidekick, faces an uphill battle on his own. Floyd Shivambu is charting a path similar to the one Jacob Zuma once took, as he looks to establish a new political party, despite still holding membership in the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party. This marks his first solo move in a competitive political landscape. Shivambu's political career began in the ANC Youth League, where he was the spokesperson during Julius Malema's time as president. In this era, the two were known for their radical rhetoric and support for the nationalisation of key industries. Shivambu was expelled from the ANC under former president Jacob Zuma's leadership, in 2013 a year after Malema was expelled from the party. They co-founded the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). As a founding member, Shivambu played a major role in shaping the party's direction and ideology, which is rooted in Pan-Africanist principles. Shivambu held the position of deputy president for more than 10 years, staying with the party through its best and worst times. The EFF had a strong start in the 2014 general elections, winning 6.35% of the vote. In 2019, it grew its support to 10.79%. But by 2024, support dropped to 9.52%, which can be attributed to a number of reasons, including growing tensions inside the party as well as the rise of rivals, such as the MK party. Shivambu was Malema's second in command, seen as a key strategist to support his commander-in-chief's mercurial charisma. (Both are linked to unlawful funds the party received from VBS Mutual Bank.) Eventually, they had a falling out, apparently over Malema's belief that Shivambu was a potential rival. On Thursday, 19 June, Shivambu said leaving the EFF was the most politically sound decision he had taken, adding that while he was with the red berets, the collective leadership held a meeting in which they unanimously agreed that Malema was not fit to lead the party. 'We were legitimising rubbish, and there was no way that one could dedicate their intellectual muscles and work when in practice this thing we said we were standing for is not principle…' 'We reached the same conclusion that we are not being fair if we say that this comrade [Malema] can lead this country,' Shivambu said. 10 months with MK In August 2024, Shivambu defected to the MK party, and within weeks he was parachuted into the roles of national organiser and eventually secretary-general. Discontent quickly surfaced in the party's leadership ranks. Among those who opposed his appointment were senior party members who pointed out that just three months earlier, during the May 2024 general elections, he had actively campaigned against the very party he now represented. His biggest detractors included Zuma's daughter, Duduzile, who on one occasion publicly insulted him, with comments that he was 'the worst thing that happened to MK', 'useless', and calling him 'Mafikizolo', which loosely translates to 'newcomer'. Read more: How Floyd Shivambu caused his own MK party downfall On Thursday, 19 June, in what appeared to be comments directed at Duduzile, Shivambu said: 'Even against all odds, if there is an opportunity to raise an issue about wrongdoing, I will speak and clearly speak against the untouchables, people who take drugs and tweet at night and insult us.' During his tenure at the MK party, he played an important role, contributing to establishing the party's constitution, establishing branches and putting systems in place. However, at some point, he was accused of attempting to centralise financial control of the party, with claims that he sought sole authority over its funds. On Thursday, he revealed that part of the reason he was removed as secretary-general (SG) was the belief that he was plotting to dethrone Zuma. He claimed the former president is surrounded by 'political scoundrels' who are siphoning off millions from the party. He boasted he 'left' the ANC when it was above 63% in Parliament, when it had power, suggesting that he was hardly bothered by the MK party possibly expelling him when it wasn't in power. Zuma, when he faced a disciplinary hearing in the ANC, had the same posture. 'This thing of political parties thinking that people are desperate for membership must come to an end,' Shivambu said. Against old allies Shivambu announced on Thursday that he would be embarking on a consultative process to establish whether there is an appetite for a new party. This comes two weeks after he was removed as SG over his controversial Easter Weekend visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi. His announcement of a consultative process brought more questions than answers, including how the process and the party itself will be funded. 'Funding for what when we do not have an organisation? We are going to listen, we are in a listening session, and if MK thinks that listening is a cause for termination of membership, so be it,' Shivambu said. The process mirrors what happened when Shivambu and Malema started the EFF. They initially embarked on a series of consultative meetings before launching the party. Shivambu's political career shows a clear pattern. He aligns himself with bold, revolutionary movements, but often parts ways when leadership strays from his ideals or when internal power struggles emerge. It remains unclear what the core tenets of this new political formation are, but it may become a little clearer next week when he announces what he said would be an interim structure to lead the consultative process. For now, he has indicated that the structure will consist of representatives from provinces across the country. Based on his history, Shivambu is likely to form a party that supports radical economic change, including land expropriation without compensation, state-led industrialisation, and the nationalisation of key industries. These are ideas he has pushed since his time in the ANC Youth League and the EFF. His ideology may still lean towards Pan-Africanism, but with a more practical approach. With his background in the Youth League and student activism, he's also likely to focus on young people, especially on issues such as education, jobs and housing, aiming to win back younger voters who feel ignored or disappointed with current political options. His possible party will enter a competitive landscape, where smaller parties have proliferated as the ANC's dominance continues to decline and more breakaway parties, and splinters of the breakaway parties, contest each election. He boasted on Thursday that he's done political work in every corner of the country, but he has no clear constituency and cannot rely on a Malema or Zuma to draw support. Those whom he chooses to partner with will be key in drawing support. Shivambu's new party has the potential to draw support from EFF members who are dissatisfied with the party's direction under Malema or disillusioned by internal divisions. Some of these individuals see Shivambu as the intellectual force or strategic brain behind the EFF's early success. He stands little chance of drawing voters away from the MK party as it is strongly built around Zuma's identity. However, he might attract younger supporters and those who are frustrated with the party's lack of structure, and those with the growing perception that the MK party is a tribalistic movement and is being run as a family business. DM
The South African
a day ago
- Politics
- The South African
UK denied Malema visa due to extremism, support for Hamas
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says its leader Julius Malema will never change his revolutionary beliefs in exchange for a visa after the United Kingdom (UK) denied him one. This week, the UK Home Office Secretary confirmed the actual reasons why Malema was denied a visa to the country where he was set to address students at Cambridge University's 'Africa Together Conference' on 10 May. The EFF leader was informed just hours before he was supposed to depart for the UK that his visa could not be processed in time. In a letter dated Tuesday, 17 June, the UK Home Office said Malema has made controversial statements in the past, including calling for the slaughter of white people. During his meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office last month, US President Donald Trump also played videos of Malema singing 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' and questioned why he had not been arrested. Despite this, the Constitutional Court maintained that the struggle song Kill the Boer, kill the farmer which Malema has sung in many political rallies, does not constitute hate speech. Moreover, Malema was denied a visa for declaring unwavering support for Hamas amid the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. 'I have considered that you made multiple statements which explicitly support Hamas and their terrorist activities. As noted, Hamas is proscribed in the UK. There is a chance that if you were allowed to enter the UK, you could repeat your past views on Hamas. Refusing your visa is the least intrusive method of protecting the UK to ensure that you cannot cause community tensions or engage in unacceptable behaviour. 'Refusing your visa does not infringe on your right to express your views, as you can do so via modern means of communication. A refusal will, however, prevent you from expressing any views in person, which will protect public safety and prevent disorder or crime.' In response to the letter, the EFF said the fact that the UK Home Office Secretary said Julius Malema's future visa applications will likely be denied because of his political views is not only cowardice but also stifling of democratic debate and a pathetic expression of intolerance for those who hold different views from the UK administration including its monarchy. 'For a nation that preaches its commitment to democracy, the UK has revealed itself as an intolerant bully that seeks to impose its beliefs on the world without challenge, while denying democratically elected leaders of other nations the opportunity to express themselves in their country,' the party said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Banned again: Malema's presence not ‘conducive to the public good', say UK authorities
Malema says he will not change his political views despite being pressured to do so. The EFF has confirmed that Julius Malema was denied entry into the United Kingdom (UK) due to his political views. On Thursday, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the party received a letter from the British government indicating that Malema was denied a visa because of his views on the Israeli war in Gaza and his controversial race-centred political views. 'In a correspondence from the UK Home Office Secretary, the country has confirmed that it has effectively banned the president of the EFF due to his position in relation to the genocide of Palestinian people, and his expressed support for the resistance movement fighting against the genocidal Israeli regime. As well as his position and that of the EFF on racial inequality in South Africa,' he said. Thambo said the letter states that Malema's presence in the UK would not be desirable under the current circumstances. In May this year, Malema was invited to Cambridge University to speak to students. However, he was told his visa was not approved due to administrative reasons. 'The UK has declared the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF an 'extremist' whose presence in the UK would not be conducive for the public good. 'This country, which has a long history of imperialism, and still has the blood of Africans dripping from its hands as its wealth was built on the back of African people, has suggested that all further applications by our president are likely to be denied unless he changes his posture on the issues which characterise him as a revolutionary,' he said. 'A bully that seeks to impose its views' Thambo said banning Malema from the UK is undemocratic and shows intolerance of differing views. 'This is not only cowardice by the UK but also stifling of democratic debate and a pathetic expression of intolerance for those who hold different views from the UK administration, including its monarchy. ALSO READ: Is EFF trying to sneak into GNU as tension builds over ANC's VAT proposal? 'For a nation that preaches its commitment to democracy, the UK has revealed itself as an intolerant bully that seeks to impose its beliefs on the world without challenge, while denying democratically elected leaders of other nations the opportunity to express themselves in their country,' he said. Where else has Malema been banned? In 2011, Malema was banned from Botswana for proposing regime change in that country. The ban was only lifted last year. He was also banned in Zambia for allegedly interfering in the country's internal affairs. This ban has also been lifted. Recently, US President Donald Trump called for his arrest for allegedly fuelling racial tension in the country. Videos of the leader of the Red Berets chanting kill the boer in front of large crowds were played in front of international media at the White House during a meeting to reset relations between South Africa and the US. In February, EFF leader Julius Malema said he was 'happy to be an international criminal.' He was responding to tech billionaire Elon Musk, who had called for Malema to be declared an 'international criminal' for his views. However, Malema said nothing would deter him from his political work. 'I am so happy to be an international criminal. Do you know why? Because Nelson Mandela was an international criminal – that's what they declared him for fighting for the rights of our people,' said Malema at the time. 'If it means I'm joining the ranks of Nelson Mandela by being declared an international criminal for fighting for the rights of my people, I'm a proud international criminal.' NOW READ: WATCH: 'Even Donald Trump is scared of the EFF' – Malema
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
EFF slams UK for 'Cowardice', vows not to trade revolutionary beliefs over Malema ban
EFF says Julius Malema will not trade his revolutionary beliefs for a visa, reaffirming solidarity with Palestine and commitment to fight racial inequality and oppression globally. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the United Kingdom's decision to deny its leader, Julius Malema, a visa, calling the move a blatant act of political censorship and 'cowardice.' In a statement, the party said it was 'not surprised' by the UK Home Office's confirmation that Malema's visa application was denied due to his political views, particularly his support for Palestine and his stance on racial inequality in South Africa. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the UK had 'effectively banned the President of the EFF due to his position about the genocide of the Palestinian people, his expressed support for the resistance movement fighting against the genocidal Israeli regime, as well as his and the EFF's stance on racial inequality in South Africa.' The party said Malema was initially invited to speak at Cambridge University in May 2025 but was barred from entry. Thambo added that the UK 'has suggested that all further applications by our President are likely to be denied unless he changes his posture on the issues which characterise him as a revolutionary.' He further said: 'The UK has declared the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF an 'extremist' whose presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good. ''This country, which has a long history of imperialism and still has the blood of Africans dripping from its hands, as its wealth was built on the backs of African people, has suggested that all further applications by our President are likely to be denied unless he changes his posture on the issues which characterise him as a revolutionary.'
