The Rise of Malema

In the aftermath of the local government elections, Julius Malema’s EFF can swing the balance of power by choosing to support the DA or ANC. How did Malema get himself here? 

- Mabale Moloi

LOVE him or hate him, there’s no ignoring Julius Malema. He has the stickability of Velcro, the thick skin of a rhino, the bounce-backness of a beach ball and the uncanny ability to become a thorn in any side.

He’s been called a rabble-rouser, an upstart, an opportunist – you name it. But just look at him now.

Who would have thought the man once expelled from the ANC, in trouble with the taxman and a laughing stock for his matric woodwork results could pull off one of the most impressive reinventions in South African politics?

As leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Malema now carries a fair amount of sway in the corridors of power. After the recent municipal elections he found himself being courted by both the ANC and the DA, as they looked to form coalitions that would tip the balance in their favour – and the ruling party, that “devil” as he describes it, was the loser.

And then there’s his recent weight loss. That tubby tummy, those jowls and that double chin are practically a thing of the past. And he’s counteracted laughter at his lack of education by getting a degree.

So how did he come so far?

MALEMA was just nine years old when he joined the ANC in his home township of Seshego, Limpopo – his main task was to remove National Party posters from public places. And as he grew, so did his love for the ANC.

But things crumbled when, after being voted President of the ANC Youth League in Mangaung in 2008, he was kicked out of the party for disciplinary reasons in 2012. Along the way, Malema has said many things he’s often been called to apologise for – such as calling then Minister of Education Naledi Pandor’s British accent “fake” and labelling Nelson Mandela a “sellout” during negotiations for a democratic South Africa.