Malema is not perfect, but he makes leadership attractive and humane
EFF leader in touch with where young people are, delivers on his promises
Julius Malema is the embodiment of the following line coined by Martin Luther King Jr: “True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.”
One of the key characteristics of a great leader has to be their determination to know what is happening around them. Most importantly, it has to be the ability to humanise leadership.
In a forever evolving world like ours, with political power that shifts and changes, Malema’s commitment to be relevant and in touch with the young, old, educated and uneducated remains the only constant in the South African political landscape.
Recently, I listened to a pained Malema’s speech at the funeral of slain artist and entrepreneur DJ Sumbody.
Not only did Malema know the deceased personally, he was also intentional about supporting his business.
When artists struggle for survival, his political party invites them to their events and remunerate them for their services. But that is what everyone does.
In his case, and as he explained it in his own words, he even invited his colleagues from the Pan African Parliament to dine at DJ Sumbody’s establishment in Pretoria and they enjoyed their time at the place. Not only did he feast there with his continental counterparts, but he also understood the importance of supporting his own.
Furthermore, he demystified the statements made by the Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation, Morakane Mosupyoe. She tried to paint the DJ’s establishment as a shebeen despite the truth being that Ayepyep Lifestyle, by day, is a restaurant that serves African cuisine in a very special way. By evening it is a lively night spot. In many instances, Malema is the first to pitch and offer his resources, including those of his party. A big part of me believes him when he says to bereaved families: “You are not alone, and as the EFF, we are a call away.” I am certain someone thinks he was there because DJ Sumbody was famous. Earlier in the year, around May, four EFF members perished in a horrific car accident at the village called Loding, near Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga. He personally went there to send his condolences to the families of the deceased. Malema also said they would have a mass funeral for the fallen members. And the EFF did exactly as the four received a dignified sendoff.
“The families of these fallen fighters will be built houses,” Malema vowed. I trust him and EFF to deliver on this promise.
Such is the remarkable character of the EFF leader. And he is very consistent at this. You don’t even have to wonder where he stands on matters where humility is the most expensive currency. He always shows up.
That is a leader that we need in our society. We need a leader that is in touch with where young people are and what interests them.
He is probably playing the latest amapiano at home. And when he shows up, he is most likely to be in the company of his wife. Another great, yet subtle message that he sends to young people in our country. Building a strong nation starts with us intentionally making strong families and showing the utmost respect to our wives, particularly as black men.
He is not a perfect human being, but the greatness of a leader is certainly not his perfection, it is his awareness of his imperfections and the ability to continue to strive to be the best version of himself. After all, who is perfect? Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu summed it up well when he said: “I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.”
To Malema, thank you so much for humanising leadership. Even when some of your admirers do not support your political ideology, they like everything else you do, making your brand of leadership attractive and humane.