The EFF Storm

The stage is set for a riveting new act in South Africa’s ongoing political drama involving Julius Malema of the EFF party and Jacob Zuma of the MK party.

Reeling from the defection of his trusted deputy Floyd Shivambu and his subsequent siding with former president Zuma and his new MK party, Malema deals with a crushing blow from his longtime ally.

Tides turned against the EFF in recent elections. As voters flock to Zuma’s party, Shivambu breaks ranks, lured by shifting political winds. His defection triggers turmoil within the EFF and ends an 11-year partnership with Malema.

Now the stage lights turn to Malema. Will he marshal the EFF’s spirit single-handedly? Can he outmaneuver his crafty rival Zuma and halt the EFF’s slide? The spotlights await Malema’s next move.

Malema Surprised By the Departure

South Africa has been engrossed in one of the most fascinating political theatre plays ever produced for the whole world.

I sometimes struggle to put into words a full encapsulation of everything that has happened up until now, and then try to predict or plan out for the foreseeable future of this great nation and its volatile political scene.

It is a story about personal relationships breaking down, possible betrayals, change ups in the political parties, and countless surprises that even the people playing huge roles in the ongoing political drama can’t possibly tell what is about to happen next.

What am I talking about here exactly? I am specifically talking about the defection of Floyd Shivambu from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and from his position as the Deputy for Juluis Malema to go to former President Jacob Zuma’s new party by the name of MK, which has unsurprisingly sent shockwaves through South African politics.

Floyd Shivambu served as EFF’s deputy leader and ideological architect and was considered one of the major forces behind the EFF party and its monumental rise through the political scene of South Africa over the last decade or so alongside obviously the leader Julius Malema.

He was a very close friend to Malema and this simple act of departure from the EFF political party that they helped build together 11 years ago was one of the greatest ruptures that the party has ever seen.

It is a sad day to see close friends and allies have a political rift between them. Dark times truly force the hand of the strongest.

Malema and the History of the EFF

The EFF burst onto the political scene under the leadership of Julius Malema, who assumed the role of commander-in-chief.

With his fiery populist rhetoric demanding the nationalisation of white-owned land and mines and the “decolonization” of education.

A valiant message that encapsulates the true meaning of a united Africa standing against all remnants of colonisation looking to extend its influence further once again.

It is a message that captured the heart and the soul of millions and that’s how Malema galvanised support among South Africa’s youth, who were frustrated with the slow pace of change since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Shivambu complemented Malema’s approach with his own level of support and guidance. His charismatic style coupled with substantive policy proposals gave the EFF an ideological road to follow and for the people supporting the party a clear idea to latch onto like never before.

The duo made a potent combination, attracting droves of disaffected youth from the African National Congress (ANC) into the EFF’s fold and dominating student politics on university campuses nationwide.

However, the party suffered a major setback in this year’s general election.

Despite aiming to unseat the Democratic Alliance as the second largest party, the EFF dropped to fourth place after MK syphoned away votes from both it and the ANC with the help of former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma.

How Things Unfolded

So perhaps, Shivambu seeing how the tides have turned and how the political winds are sailing in the direction of the MK party, he decided to take a step back assess the situation and came to the unfortunate personal conclusion to jump ship from EFF to MK and leave Malema behind.

His move dealt a crushing personal blow to Malema, given their shared history and the fact they had jointly launched the EFF after being expelled from the ANC under Zuma’s leadership at the time.

Paddy Harper, a journalist with the Mail & Guardian newspaper, noted, “Malema had the charisma to get support, and Shivambu the brains to give it ideological direction. With their break-up, the EFF will enter a period of turmoil.”

During the press conference where Shivambu announced his formal resignation, Julius Malema took to the stage to set things straight and say a few words about the latest happenings.

Malema talked briefly about the history of the EFF and his own personal history and friendship with Shivambu and how it is not going to be affected in any way, shape, or form by Shivambu’s own personal decision to leave the EFF party. Hell, they even ate together right before this press conference, so if this is not an indication of the absence of any bad blood between them then I don’t know what is.

But you can tell that Malema was especially hurt by this departure, and who could honestly blame him? Your closest ally suddenly leaving you all alone is not something to take lightly even if it is not going to affect friendships or deep relationships.

Malema then proceeds to end his valiant and honest speech from the heart with an introspective resolution; some people will continue to go away and leave the EFF but the EFF will stay standing because this is obviously a test, and if we can’t endure then what is our purpose anyway.

However, he declares that no matter what he is going to always raise the EFF flag and carry the burden, even if he was the only one left doing it in the end. That is his character and his final message to the people that supported him.

As the political terrain shifts ahead of the 2024 election, people are wondering what is possibly next for Malema, the EFF, and everyone involved.