Latest news with #EconomicFreedomFighter
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Malema: 'A man who doesn't give women money is irresponsible'
Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema has criticised men who refuse to give money to the women in their lives. The outspoken politician made the comments during a Women's Day address in Secunda on Saturday, 9 August. In his Women's Day address to a group of female EFF supporters, Julius Malema praised the women of the past and present who work towards gender and racial equality in South Africa. He also highlighted his concerns over the alarming statistics behind gender-based violence and called on men to change. He said: 'Women get raped in churches, at schools, in workplaces, and social places, and they do not rape themselves; they are raped by men. Men have to stand up. Malema's speech then took a turn when he called out men who fail to provide financial support to the women in their lives. He added, 'Any man who doesn't give women money is an irresponsible man. Women have to receive money.' The outspoken leader then criticised men who neglect both their children and the single mothers they left behind. He vowed to take action against men who do not pay maintenance, and blacklist them if they refuse. Julius Malema is married to Mantwa Matlala, the mother of his two youngest sons, Munzhedzi and Kopano. His firstborn son is Ratanang, and he is from a previous relationship. The EFF leader has often spoken fondly of both his late mother, Flora, and his grandmother, Sarah, who both raised him. Julius Malema with his wife. Images: X Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
'Go to hell': Gayton claps back at Malema's legal threat
Gayton McKenzie has clapped back at Julius Malema's threat to sue him for defamation after he labelled the Economic Freedom Fighter leader 'stupid' and a 'bank robber' in a recent Facebook Live rant. The Patriotic Alliance leader – the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – also claimed that the EFF was 'in ICU'. Speaking to EWN, Julius Malema responded to the comments made by Gayton McKenzie, whom he labelled a 'jailbird'. He said: 'I never went to jail, I never got arrested for stealing. I've never robbed anything in my entire life. Never.' 'I've never engaged with them like that. Because I showed Kenny [Kunene] the door.' Malema threatened to sue Gayton for 'damaging my image'. He continued: 'I will take him on. Don't lie about me… If you become personal, I will sue you. I don't play games.' On his X account, Gayton responded to Malema's legal threat, posting 'This one thinks he has the sole mandate to insult people. Go to hell'. In 2021, Malema sued Gayton McKenzie's right-hand man, Kenny Kunene, after the latter called him a 'cockroach' and a 'frog' during a media briefing. At the time, Kunene – a former EFF ambassador – said: 'Julius is just an irritating cockroach that now I must deal with publicly.' 'Julius is a criminal, and I'm going to show South Africans the crimes he has been involved in. I'm going to tell South Africans why I left the EFF because of this cockroach. So, I'm going to deal with this cockroach because we have given him time and respect'. In 2023, the Johannesburg High Court ordered Kunene to publicly apoligise to Malema, which he refused to do. He has since applied for leave to appeal the judgement. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Gayton likens himself to Malema: 'We're both bank robbers'
Gayton McKenzie has compared his criminal past as an armed bank robber to that of Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader, Julius Malema. The Patriotic Alliance leader, who is also the Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, shared his comments in a recent Facebook Live. In it, he also announced that his protege, Liam Jacobs, would replace Kenny Kunene as Gauteng MMC for transport. In a Facebook Live on Monday, 28 July, Gayton McKenzie took aim at EFF leader, Julius Malema. He said, 'Do you know what Malema and I have in common? We are both bank robbers. He was VBS. We are ex-criminal colleagues. I used to rob banks…he is robbing banks too.' The minister is referring to allegations that Malema and his then-colleague Floyd Shivambu defrauded the now-defunct VBS Bank of millions for their own luxury lifestyle. Gayton accused Malema of not being transparent about his finances. 'We stay in expensive suburbs. How do you afford this on [your] salary? You're a stupid thing. You live a billionaire lifestyle, but you can't prove how do you get your money?', he continued. The PA leader also took cheap shots at the EFF. He said, 'The EFF is in the ICU. They're waiting for the day the machine is shut off. There is no politics; there is just gossip. That leader, Malema, is like an old auntie who just gossips. He doesn't talk about his party, his policies, or what they're going to do.' In 1996, Gayton McKenzie was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for armed robberies. In 2003, he was released from Grootvlei prison after exposing a criminal syndicate. He told EWN of his criminal past: 'I robbed my first bank just before I turned 16. Then I was a fully-fledged gangster. I was one of the most wanted guys. 'I already knew that I would be a criminal at the age of 8; that was my choice, and that's how I got involved.' Together with pal Kenny Kunene, whom he met in prison, the pair started several businesses in the mining, entertainment, and property industries. The friends officially founded the Patriotic Alliance in 2013. Last year, Gayton was elected Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture after his party joined the Government of National Unity. Gayton McKenzie is a former convicted armed robber. Images via Facebook; Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
27-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Malema sings 'Kill The Boer' at EFF's 12th birthday celebration
Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema has done it again by performing the controversial struggle song, Kill The Boer , at the party's 12th birthday celebration. The outspoken politician has been widely criticised for choosing to sing the song, despite it being cleared as freedom of speech. In May, US President Donald Trump publicly condemned the song's 'call to action'. Pretoria-born billionaire businessman Elon Musk and UK media personality Piers Morgan have also criticised the 'racist' lyrics of the song. Over the weekend, the EFF celebrated its 12th birthday with an event in Cape Town. Unlike its grand 2023 anniversary celebration that took place at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, the party erected a makeshift stage at the Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium. The celebration was not complete without leader Julius Malema performing Kill The Boer. Malema has repeatedly claimed that he would continue to sing Kill The Boer at public gatherings. He said in a media conference in May: 'There are courts in South Africa, and the courts have said, there is nothing wrong with this song. This is not my song; I did not compose this song. I found this song. The struggle heroes composed this song. All I am doing is defending the legacy of a struggle; this is the heritage of our struggle. 'I will never stop singing a song that Winnie Mandela sang before she died. That would be a betrayal to the struggle of our people'. Kill The Boer – titled Dubul' ibhunu – made headlines when anti-Apartheid activist Peter Mokaba sang the song at a memorial for his assassinated comrade, Peter Mokaba, in 1993. It was also sung by former South African President Jacob Zuma during many ANC events. Over the years, Malema has also sung the controversial song at various EFF political rallies and even at a funeral. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
'This is my portfolio': John Steenhuisen, wife take on Durban July
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has jokingly defended his decision to attend the Durban July, a popular horseracing and fashion event on the social calendar. The 49-year-old leader of the Democratic Alliance and his wife, Terry, wore matching ensembles in the day's theme of 'Marvels of Mzansi'. Speaking to content creator and fashion designer Craig Jacobs, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and his wife Terry showed off their Durban July looks. Terry wore a coat dress featuring a navy shweshwe print, while John donned a suit with a matching tie. When asked about the DA's decision to withdraw from the national dialogue, John laughed and responded, 'We're not talking about that today.' John added that he was en route to place a bet for one of the races, specifically on an 'outsider.' When asked if he felt like an outsider at the event, John responded, 'Not at all. I feel very much at home. This is my portfolio.' @craigsalist Spotted DA leader (and minister for agriculture) John Steenhuisen at the Durban July #TheAListers #CraigsAList ♬ original sound – CraigsAList It's not the first time John Steenuisen attended the Durban July, in 2010 and 20111. In 2013, he walked the red carpet event with Terry, his then-fiancée. While John Steenhuisen put his best fashion foot forward at the Durban July, red carpet regular Julius Malema was nowhere to be found. The Economic Freedom Fighter leader is known for his expensive taste in fashion, especially for five-star events. A year ago, the Minister of Agriculture condemned Malema and his then-right-hand man, Floyd Shivambu, for 'spending VBS money at the Durban July'. He said during a media briefing: 'The money was not spent on social good, projects that would uplift and save the poor. Instead it was spent on luxury items, splurges at the Durban July on campaign, and other luxury goods. 'It shows that the EFF has no intention of being the vanguard of the poor. This is a mask that they use to justify the types of activities that they get up to'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
