- Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema publicly criticised Helen Zille after she arrived at a rally in a Gusheshe
- Malema questioned how drifting stunts and rally theatrics contribute to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans
- His remarks drew sharp reactions from South Africans online, with several turning the criticism back on Malema himself
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema took aim at the Democratic Alliance's Helen Zille, questioning the value of her high-profile arrival at the party's Johannesburg Now or Never Rally the previous day.
Zille made her entrance at the Nasrec Expo Centre aboard a Gusheshe, the BMW 325i beloved in township car culture. The entrance came days after the 75-year-old veteran politician released a campaign video, showing her wearing a bucket hat and glasses while executing donuts and high-speed manoeuvres on a racetrack in a Gusheshe.
Malema questions rally theatrics
Speaking about the incident, Malema argued that the enthusiasm around the DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate's arrival reflected skewed national priorities.
"She never trended for planting vegetables for the poor, teaching the poor how to use the land. But you are celebrating a person who spins Gusheshe, and then you think that thing has got anything to do with improving the lives of our people," he said.
He went further, suggesting the spectacle was rooted in deference to whiteness rather than genuine community engagement. Malema also took a swipe at Zille over her rendition of the late Brenda Fassie's music, saying that she had been butchering the songs for too long.
South Africans push back against Malema's comments
The video, shared by @newslivesa on X, drew a pointed response from users who found Malema's criticism inconsistent with his own conduct.
@kingmoss0 wrote:
"So spinning a Gusheshe doesn't improve our lives, but a Beyonce-style ramp lift at FNB Stadium does? Malema thinks he's the only one allowed to put on a show."
@MelikhayaPants1 asked:
"How did filling up a stadium contribute to the lives of the poor? Julius wants attention to himself."
@ITUMOC2 stated:
"How does shooting randomly and singing 'Kill the Boer' change our lives? Stupid fool."
@Xinkuwani01 said:
"He enjoyed it when they celebrated him as a DJ at a club, and we said nothing, but now he's telling us that Magogo is not intelligent. Since Floyd left, this guy has been hallucinating."
@thabo22069 offered a measure of agreement:
"But true though. Electioneering desperation and attempting to act like there's some love for kasi life and black lives."
@KingSfiso30 added:
"After this media briefing, they text each other with uGogo, while you poor followers fight each other on the ground. That's politics baba."
Sol Phenduka trolls Zille
Briefly News reported that Podcast and Chill host Sol Phenduka fired back at Zille's spinning stunt.
Zille was filmed doing burnouts in a stunt car at an outdoor event as part of her mayoral campaign.
Sol's comment drew sharp responses from netizens, with some defending Zille and others backing Phenduka's take.
Source: Briefly News
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