Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has vowed to rebuild the party’s presence in KwaZulu-Natal after their disappointing performance in the recent general elections. Speaking at the funeral of EFF KZN chairperson Mongezi Twala’s mother, Mama Twala, in Newcastle, Malema promised that the party would bounce back and never again be toppled by the “ruthless tsunami” of the MK Party, especially in the province.
Malema, accompanied by leaders from the EFF, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and African National Congress (ANC) in the province, paid tribute to Mama Twala, acknowledging her influence in shaping Mongezi Twala into a prominent leader. “Comrade Mongezi, though we did not know your mother personally, her character is evident through you. As she reaches her final resting place, we say to Mama Twala, ‘rest in peace, you have done your work,’” Malema stated.
During his address, Malema reflected on the EFF’s poor showing in the KZN elections, where their support plummeted from 10% to just 2%. The party’s leadership, which arrived in the province on a fact-finding mission, is still grappling with the reasons behind this drastic decline. Malema described the MK Party, founded by former president Jacob Zuma, as the “ruthless tsunami” that swept through KZN, catching everyone off guard.https://twitter.com/EFFSouthAfrica/status/1827593922488807716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1827593922488807716%7Ctwgr%5E0fa1096b5dbceb222c3e0e3a98be6a443f06ce56%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fpolitics%2F2024-08-25-malema-vows-to-rebuild-eff-in-kzn-against-ruthless-tsunami-of-the-old-man-in-nkandla%2F
“Our mother passed away while we were still trying to make sense of our electoral performance here in KZN,” Malema said. “As Commissar Mongezi tries to survive the wave that hit us all, his mother passes on. We are proud of her son, who stood firm in the face of this challenge and never wavered.”
Malema expressed his determination to rebuild the EFF in KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring that the party regains its strength through hard work and determination. He made it clear that the shock caused by the MKP’s unexpected rise under Zuma’s leadership would not be repeated. “We’ll return to the battlefield with your soldier, Mongezi, and reclaim our position in this province,” he declared, to applause from the mourners.
Malema also took the opportunity to criticize the government of national unity (GNU), dismissing it as nothing more than a “grand coalition between the ANC and DA.” He emphasized the need for “black unity” to protect the gains of 1994 but asserted that this unity could not be led by the likes of Zuma. “The black unity we seek must be led by the youth, like Mongezi, who are part of a solid organization with clear policies. That vehicle for black unity is the EFF,” Malema affirmed.
Despite the grief of losing his mother, Malema reminded Twala that he was expected to return to the frontline of the party’s activities. “A leader is allowed to mourn and cry, but then we must soldier on,” he urged.
Malema’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the EFF, following the recent departure of deputy president Floyd Shivambu. Shivambu, a founding member of the EFF, left the party to join the Zuma-led MKP, where he now serves as national organizer, a role akin to that of a secretary-general.
As Malema concluded his speech, he urged Twala and his family not to let detractors divide them with baseless allegations. His comments highlighted the internal challenges facing the EFF as it seeks to rebuild and reassert its influence in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.