Malema’s UK visit ‘sends a message’

EFF leader Julius Malema says President Zuma would not make it to next year's State of the Nation Address. File picture: Siphiwe Sibeko

EFF leader Julius Malema says President Zuma would not make it to next year's State of the Nation Address. File picture: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Nov 24, 2015

Share

London - He’s perhaps the second best-known politician in South Africa, a firebrand agitator who is revered and disliked across South Africa in equal measure.

However this week Julius Malema is in the old colonial power of the UK where he is less well known and where he will be addressing some distinctly English and internationally highbrow institutions.

On Wednesday he will kick off his England tour by travelling to the “dreaming spires” of Oxford where he will address the Oxford Union at the world famous university. He will speak in the Debating Chamber on a subject “loosely agreed” beforehand, a spokeswoman for the Union said. The chamber can take up to 450 people and after the speech there will be a question and answer session.

Malema was supposed to have spoken at the Union at the end of October but the event was postponed “due to important business in South Africa”, the Union said.

From Oxford he will head to London to prepare for a lecture at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at its Chatham House headquarters in prestigious St James’s Square, just a short walk from Buckingham Palace. There, the commander in chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters will address South Africa’s economic, political and social challenges and the role of opposition parties in the country.

An institute spokesman said the hall where the talk will take place can accommodate 100 people but they would not know how many would attend until the day.

On Friday he will meet the Pan African People’s Movement in Tottenham, North London, and on Saturday he is due to attend the African Enterprise Awards at the London Capital Club. The event celebrates “the achievements of all African professionals and entrepreneurs including all African nationalities irrespective of their colour, culture, or religious persuasion”.

Neither Malema nor EFF spokesman, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, were available for comment on the trip but Stephen Chan, professor of politics and international studies in the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, said the visit was aimed at boosting his credibility back in South Africa.

“He needs to show he’s in touch with the South African diaspora but this is also a good photo opportunity for the folks back home. Unlike Mmusi Maimane’s visit to London earlier this year, I do expect Malema’s visit to receive coverage in the UK media where he is known as a firebrand,” said the professor.

“Malema does seek international credibility and London is an important platform. He and the Economic Freedom Fighters are undertaking an effective anti-corruption campaign despite his murky past, but coming to London where the South African ambassador is seen as a Zuma crony makes an important message.”

Professor Chan added: “Malema probably knows he’ll never win power but my guess is that he’s waiting for the moment after Zuma when he’ll offer an olive branch to the ANC in exchange for a major ministry.”

Independent Foreign Service

Related Topics: