Juju backs down on Madiba jibe
Under-fire Malema tones down Mandela vitriol as he blazes a trail in UK charm offensive
EFF leader Julius Malema has backtracked on his controversial remarks about Nelson Mandela after a barrage of public criticism.
Malema, who is on a weeklong visit to the UK, caused a storm back in South Africa when he told an audience during his address to the Oxford Union on Wednesday that “the deviation from the Freedom Charter was the beginning of selling out . . . the revolution”.
He added: “The Nelson we celebrate now is a stage-managed Mandela who compromised the principles of the revolution which are captured in the Freedom Charter.”
But on Friday night, speaking at an intimate event at the Pan African People’s Movement in Tottenham, Malema moderated his remarks.
“[Zimbabwean President Robert] Mugabe took it from here to here; Madiba took it from here to here. We cannot complain that ‘No, these old men have sold us out. They’re useless.’ No, they’re human beings, they can do [sic] up to so far. If you think Madiba sold out . . . Madiba played his role. He can only do some of the things and [leave] it [there].”
Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela accused the EFF leader of disrespecting Madiba’s legacy.
“Malema has no regard for traditional African values such as respect for elders [and] mutual respect, as encapsulated in the spirit of ubuntu, or our long tradition of principled struggle for which generations have sacrificed life and limb.
“Like those of many of our stalwarts and heroes, Madiba’s legacy is unassailable and Julius Malema’s drivel is just that: drivel,” Mandla said.
Referring to criticism of his comments, Malema said Madiba accepted that he was old and could not do certain things.
“It was Madiba himself who said: ‘I can only do one term [as president]. I’m too tired.’
“The struggle was the cumulative efforts of human beings like us. It was not done by some angels sent from heaven, they were human beings like us,” insisted Malema.
Malema’s overseas tour has been a whirlwind.
From interviews on the BBC’s current affairs show HARDtalk and TV channel Russia Today, to meeting ordinary people in a tiny hall in Tottenham and addressing Chatham House and the Oxford Union, Malema worked hard at what was essentially the EFF’s international coming out party.
He carried the same message to each of his audiences: BEE has failed as it continues to enrich a politically connected few. He favours state intervention in key sectors such as banking and mining, and land expropriation is a cornerstone of the party’s political manifesto.
Malema said this would reduce the massive gap between
We cannot complain that ‘No, these old men have sold us out. They’re useless.’ No, they’re human beings Madiba’s legacy is unassailable and Julius Malema’s drivel is just that: drivel
rich and poor, slash the high levels of crime and ease racial tensions in the country.
He was also adamant that there would be no EFF coalition with the ANC, ever.
Malema said: “The ANC is dying. No one can rescue the ANC. Not even a miracle or holy water can rescue the ANC.”
He is confident the EFF will do well in a number of municipalities and predicts that some will be led by opposition coalitions after next year’s elections.