Leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, Julius Malema, has lashed out at the “marriage of convenience” that saw Cyril Ramaphosa re-elected president through an opposition coalition deal.
Malema garnered just 44 votes in the National Assembly on Friday, losing out to Ramaphosa who secured 283 votes following a landmark pact between his African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA).
In a fiery speech after the results, Malema made clear his displeasure at the multi-party governing alliance that will consolidate the “white monopoly power” over the economy.
“We contested because we wanted to demonstrate to South Africa that we do not agree to this marriage of convenience, to consolidate the white monopoly power over the economy and the means of production,” Malema stated.
His comments took aim at the unprecedented coalition between the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) and the traditionally leftist African National Congress (ANC), which have been fierce political rivals for decades. The alliance shut Malema’s EFF out of the governing arrangement.
The EFF leader accused the ruling party of betraying its progressive roots by allying with opposition parties he views as upholding white minority capital interests.
Before the parliamentary vote, Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party had promised to hold the executive accountable and continue representing the “dejected masses” of South Africans.
The multi-party deal excludes Malema’s EFF as well as another ANC breakaway, the MK party led by former president Jacob Zuma.
Malema signaled his intent to remain a staunch opposition voice holding the fragile governing alliance to account as it embarks on an uncertain new era of partnership politics.
