Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has dismissed suggestions of working together with MK Party.
Image: File
Julius Malema has rejected rumours that the EFF is eyeing an alliance with the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party, dismissing speculation triggered by Jacob Zuma’s recent visit.
Following the death of his aunt, Martha Malema, Zuma visited Limpopo to pay his respects, a move that quickly ignited speculation about a potential political rapprochement between the EFF and the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party.
But Malema was quick to douse the speculation.
“We want to thank President Zuma and the MK Party for coming to our home and sending condolences. It is only African to do so. It has nothing to do with political agreements. We belong to different political parties. We will never come together,” he said.
The latest episode adds another layer to a complex and often ambiguous relationship between Malema and Zuma, one shaped by shared political history, ideological overlap and periodic public tension.
Analysts say the symbolism of Zuma’s visit cannot be ignored, even if both leaders publicly downplayed its significance.
Professor Ntwanano Mathebula, a political analyst from the University of Johannesburg, said the interaction reflected a deeper dynamic that was not always visible in public statements.
“The issue of the MK Party and the EFF is not so easy to understand. And the visit by MK Party leader, former President Jacob Zuma, has been described by Julius himself as a visit based on African values. You never know but we understand he visited the family to pay respects for Julius' aunt. But of course, the history between the two individuals and political parties is something that can be confusing at times,” he said.
He pointed to previous moments, including the EFF’s visit to Nkandla, which similarly sparked speculation about behind-the-scenes engagement.
“You will remember the tea at Nkandla, which left all of us speculating what the visit could have been about,” he said.
The speculation comes against the backdrop of shifting political loyalties, particularly the movement of high-profile figures between parties.
The formation of the MK Party ahead of the 2024 general elections significantly reshaped the political landscape, drawing support from segments of the electorate that overlap with the EFF’s base, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Limpopo.
Mathebula noted that while Malema has ruled out any immediate alliance, political strategy often evolves.
“But we need to be careful because we are talking about individuals who have a history. For me, they are playing chess as we approach the local government elections. We may be surprised,” Mathebula said.
He added that cooperation between the parties after the elections remains a realistic possibility, particularly in hung municipalities where coalition politics becomes unavoidable.
“This is not something they would want to put out in public, so as not to scare voters of the EFF who might not like the MK Party. It will become clearer as the parties unveil their manifestos,” he said.
Analysts also point to ideological alignment as a potential basis for future cooperation. Both parties position themselves as radical alternatives to the political mainstream, advocating for economic transformation and state intervention.
At the same time, critics have highlighted similarities in internal party dynamics.
Mathebula described both organisations as highly centralised, with decision-making often concentrated around dominant leaders.
“You will see the way in which decisions are taken in the political parties. They reflect some sort of anarchy approach to politics, whereby one individual dictates. The MK Party, since its formation, has not held a conference. President Jacob Zuma chops and changes the leaders as he feels. The same thing happens, people are not willing to challenge Mr Malema when it comes to elections. So they are the same,” he said.
Another political analyst, Professor Ricky Munyaradzi Mukonza, said the MK Party may view the EFF as its closest ideological partner, even if that is not publicly acknowledged.
“The MK Party’s strategic thinking could well identify the EFF as a natural ally,” Mukonza said.
He added that Zuma’s decision to travel from KwaZulu-Natal to Limpopo should not be dismissed as purely ceremonial, it was a sign of backroom discussions.
Mukonza pointed to past tensions, including the fallout following the departure of senior EFF figures to rival formations, as evidence of a complicated relationship. However, he said this does not preclude future cooperation.