EFF leader Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu sung Julius Malema’s praises during the party’s 10th birthday celebration just days after the party leader fired warning shots against party members who wanted to unseat him.
Speaking at the EFF gala dinner ahead of the party’s celebrations on Thursday, Malema lauded Shivambu for his loyalty but later fired his salvo, warning his deputy not to conspire against him.
“I’ve made it clear to Floyd: ‘The day you get tired of me, don’t go and organise against me. Just tell me, I think you have served your term, it is time to go… I will leave without a fight because I know it’s friendly fire and comes from a good place.’”
Pointing to his political victories in conferences, Malema said that he was a tactician who plans ahead.
“I plan in advance. Even with politics, the day I get into a position, that is the day I prepare my exit. That’s why I will never trouble you,” he said.
Murmurs of tensions between Malema and Shivambu have been resuscitated as the party is expected to elect new leaders next year.
In what could be seen as an effort to dispel any rumours of a split between the two EFF leaders, Shivambu used his time as the podium on Saturday to sing Malema’s praises.
Shivambu thanked Malema for leading the party with “decisiveness”. He said Malema took the courage to confront enemy forces.
“Many people counted you out. You have sharpened all of us. When we met, you were 27 years old and I was 24 years. Throughout the 15 years we have learned a lot from you.”
Shivambu said that the EFF would not be around if it wasn’t for Malema’s massive contribution.
The EFF deputy president continued crediting Malema for his personal and career development.
Shavambu compared Malema to Africa’s great leaders including Thomas Sankara, Anton Lembebe, Robert Sobukwe and Patrice Lamumba saying that he has dared to fight against the colonial and apartheid system.
Malema started off by chastising the media and other stakeholders claiming that they are doomsayers.
“EFF is not going anywhere, EFF is alive, whether they like it or not the EFF exists, all of them are witnessing it today.”
He said that EFF supporters disappointed journalists who had predicted the party’s doom saying that journalists had swallowed a bitter pill as the EFF was still thriving.
“Ask them fighters where they are today? The EFF is turning 10 years old and we cannot hear their voices.”
The EFF filled the stadium to capacity on Saturday using the pitch as an overflow area. The party made a controversial decision earlier this week, banning and publishing the names of over 400 public representatives who had failed to hire a bus to transport party supporters.
All public representatives including councillors where mandated to hire one bus each to transport supporters from their respective provinces.