ZCZC
BFF-22
SAFRICA-POLITICS-MALEMA
Malema re-elected as head of SAfrican radical left
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The controversial head of South
Africa’s far left Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, was re-elected
unopposed as at a party congress in Johannesburg.
“For the position of president, it is Mister Julius Malema, may he please
come forward,” vote organiser Terry Tselane of the Institute of Election
Management Services in Africa announced to some 3,000 delegates late on
Saturday.
Malema, 38, formed the EFF in 2013 after he was thrown out of the ruling
African National Congress, whose youth league he once led, following hate
speech convictions.
Clad in his trademark red beret, Malema portrays himself as the defender of
society’s most disadvantaged. He backs radical wealth redistribution with the
black majority still comprising the bulk of the poor a quarter century after
apartheid ended.
His anti-capitalist rhetoric as well as his support for the seizure of
white land without compensation has earned him several run-ins with the
courts — as well as his eviction from ANC ranks.
In last May’s general election the EFF scored almost 11 percent to capture
44 seats.
“We are here as the representatives of the poor and the downtrodden, united
by our love for our people, and our determination to unchain them from their
inhumane realities,” Malema told the EFF congress.
“The scars of colonialism and apartheid live on. The failure to undo the
ownership patterns of our economy and the failure to give back the land to
our people has resulted in our people having political rights, but no
economic freedom,” he added to applause.
The congress has been marred by the party’s refusal to accredit various
local media, including the online Daily Maverick news site which has
published several articles accusing party leaders of embezzlement.
Malema dismissed the allegations, charging that “sensationalism is now the
order of the day; starting storms in a tea-cup against those the media simply
declares as enemies of society.”
In solidarity with the banned media the eNCA news channel decided to
suspend coverage of the congress.
“Good riddance,” was the EFF response to that news.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1651hrs