On Friday morning it was announced long time stalwart Floyd Shivambu of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) would be leaving the Party he founded alongside “Commander in Chief” Julius Malema to join the Umkhonto We Sizwe Party (MKP). This seismic decision by Shivambu is certain to set a new tone for the country’s politics and its future.
– Floyd Shivambu set to resign as EFF deputy president amid external and internal tensions. Any person with a patriotic manner is loving this. Floyd is the only engine that kept the small dignity on the EFF. You did right Shivambu. South Africans are right behind you all the way.
– Not Floyd Shivambu resigning from the EFF. Julius Malema on WhatsApp crying … beautiful moment.
– Floyd Shivambu leaving EFF is something I have never expected, it’s not looking good.
– The EFF died the day my goat (greatest of all time) Malema sided with illegal foreigners and swore at us South Africans … There is no going back … Malema will one day end up going back to the African National Congress (ANC) or MK. The EFF is going down like the Congress of the People (COPE) did.
Judging from the above extract, the public reaction of Shivambu’s supporters appears to be in favour of his action. As it stands Malema’s popularity appears to have waned. He and the EFF no longer commands the significant amount of popular support it did in its early years. Malema first formed the Marxist orientated black conscious EFF in 2011 after being expelled from the African National Congress (ANC). Malema was suspended from the ANC when he brought the party into disrepute and sowed divisions with in it. Rather than reflect upon the reasons for his suspension he quit the ANC and co-founded the EFF with Shivambu. The party had ambitions to take on the ANC and possibly impose state ownership of the mines and expropriate land without compensation along the lines of communist thought.
This could have bankrupted the nation. Widened the scope of corruption. But Malema seems to lack the substance as well as the style of someone who can appeal to the majority.
The Cape Times’ sister publication, “The Star”, reported that Shivambu’s resignation was fuelled by infighting with Malema over the party’s upcoming elective conference in December. An EFF insider, who is a member of the party’s national executive committee, told “The Star” that Malema’s ambition to remain the president of the party in December demoralised Shivambu, who had been eyeing the position. The source said business people had shown interest in supporting Shivambu to dislodge Malema as president at the December conference. But the party’s number one found out and reprimanded Shivambu. The EFF slipped from third to fourth position in the May 29 elections, which saw the MKP become the official opposition after the DA teamed up with the ANC to form a coalition.
Malema it should become clear by now has despotic tendencies. He also suffers from an inferiority complex if you look at the way he speaks publicly and in his speeches. His desire to hold on to the party leadership and be in sole control was what could have sparked the quarrel with Shivambu. Ambition vs ego was how this quarrel was going to go down. Malema is not interested in consulting among his own party members concerning reforms. Despite the name of his party, he doesn’t have the street credit of a freedom fighter to appeal to the bulk of the electorate. Business elites which could benefit from an EFF led by Shivambu, see that an EFF that is stronger under his watch and more rational in its approach. This was going to happen as Malema in clinging to power forced Shivambu out.
Shivambu’s future in the EFF was also marred by the VBS Mutual Bank scandal. Shivambu is alleged to have benefited from money channelled from the bank through his brother Brian’s company bank account. The source added that Shivambu had tried to get Malema removed so that he could lead the party, and when that failed he jumped ship. At the party’s 10th anniversary celebrations in July, Malema warned Shivambu that he had his eyes on him if he wanted to dislodge him. Accepting Shivambu’s resignation, Malema said: “It came as a shock. Some leaders shed tears. We must accept.
“I accept the decision of the deputy president who has voluntarily resigned his position and did not renew his membership … When he gave me the letter yesterday (Wednesday), I felt the same pain I felt when I received the news of the passing of my mother,” Malema said. He said the EFF should pass this test or it would have to die.
Malema is like a crocodile everyone should be weary of. In many ways he represents many old ideas such as nationalization with in this era of advance technology and rapid modernization could prove out dated and disastrous. His action to block Shivambu from the leadership position was anti-democratic and could weaken his aura. The VBS Mutual Bank scandal would also raise the eye brows of those concerned about transparency. Shivambu is now going to join the MK party. This a party under former President Jacob Zuma, (Malema’s former boss and mentor turned nemesis) that is under-going its infighting. Shivambu may be looking for a fresh start in a party that also interestingly promotes the idea of land expropriation with out compensation.
Malema may compare Shivambu’s resignation to his mother’s passing, but he may be more relieved that his dictatorship of the party will continue. Even if it means a loss of support for the party till it has nothing. The MKP on the other hand is not without its own problems. Only time will tell where the fortunes of these parties will play out.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
