Read more
Malema says he can have a pool and still be a revolutionary
WATCH: Malema accused of running a ‘cult’ as EFF delegates kneel before him
The EFF leader's charismatic speech roused a deep outpouring of emotion among some delegates at the party's conference.
Delegates at the EFF’s second elective conference at Nasrec on 14 December. Picture: EFF/Twitter
In clips that emerged shortly after EFF leader Julius Malema gave his keynote address on Saturday at Nasrec in Johannesburg, a large group of voting delegates can be seen spontaneously approaching the stage and kneeling before him while singing a song praising him.
#EFFNPA2019: Delagates spontaneously go towards the stage to kneel and sing a song praising Julius Malema following his opening address.@IOL @TheStar_news pic.twitter.com/tjq35dXwTe
— Khaya Sibulele Koko 🇿🇦 (@khayakoko88) December 14, 2019
While many interpreted this as a mere expression of loyalty to their leader, along with being moved by his speech, others were less enamoured, seeing in it evidence that Malema is running a personality cult in his party.
ALSO READ: Malema scolds EFF members who bowed before him: ‘I’m not your Papa Bushiri’
Unsurprisingly, he was re-elected unopposed last night, with his deputy, Floyd Shivambu, also cruising to victory against Advocate Dali Mpofu.
ALSO READ: Malema, Shivambu retain positions, but big changes in rest of EFF leadership
Malema coincidentally addressed the issue of personality cults on Saturday, saying the party does not “ascribe to personality cults, hence we distance ourselves from genuine movements that seek to name places after us as individual leaders and activists for economic freedom”.
The hashtag #EFFIsACult started being seen for the first time on Twitter, with commentators seeking further evidence of it beyond just the video clips.
I've said this before I'll say it again the EFF is a cult organization of hooligans owned by Julius Malema this thing called "the peoples assembly" is only made for Malema to cleanse his cult of those whom he deem disloyal to him. https://t.co/KRQCLIBa0t
— lindani sikiti (@lindanisikiti1) December 14, 2019
Take a look at some of the reactions below:
Having watched the EFF top 6 nominations, it's safe to say that organisation is a cult. Straight.
— Bahati 🇰🇪 (@JumaBahati) December 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChrisJo52393209/status/1205943154874159105?s=20
WoW! Followers are beckoned to KNEEL and humiliate themselves before Malema.
…it has really become so low.— marion mertins (@MarionMertins) December 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/rowanmoss1/status/1205906304495161345?s=20
That’s just so incredibly icky. How is that not a cult? https://t.co/1kKZyQljv4
— Jacques Maree (@JacquesMaree73) December 14, 2019
Cult mentality! I was expecting him to tell them to kill themselves, and they were happily going to do it! #EffIsACult
— 🇿🇦Life Is 2 Short, Live It🇿🇦 (@tlmlotshwa) December 15, 2019
Hero-worshiping. Very dangerous for Africa.
— Ngwato Thobejane 🇿🇦🇺🇸 (@TsipaA) December 14, 2019
Kneel and kiss the ring.
— #NutritarianVegan Felane (@Lunga_Felah) December 14, 2019
Noooo 😢😢😢 this is 1970s/80s Mobutu's Zaire. My unease about this party (cult) is confirmed. Have seen it all before. I've never been comfortable about Malema's politics since 2009 when I first came to SA. This is bad bad bad. https://t.co/AszchiRjdL
— Bahati 🇰🇪 (@JumaBahati) December 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/XNdimba/status/1205886729342849026?s=20
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
