- Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema set out the conditions under which his party would consider joining the Government of National Unity
- Malema made the remarks during a door-to-door campaign in Naledi, Soweto, ahead of the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections
- South Africans took to social media to criticise Malema over his comments, with some outright dismissing his chances of the EFF getting into the GNU
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG — Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has indicated his party's openness to joining the Government of National Unity, but only if the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus first exited the arrangement.
Malema made the remarks over the weekend during a door-to-door campaign in Naledi, Soweto, as parties intensify efforts ahead of the 4 November Local Government Elections.
Speaking about the possibility of entering the coalition government, Malema explained what it would take for that to happen.
"We are not opposed to participating in the GNU. If Helen Zille walks tomorrow, and that other one of Correctional Services, the Freedom Front, Pieter Groenewald, walks, we'll go inside," Malema told supporters during the campaign stop.
Malema also levelled accusations at DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, claiming her resistance to any working relationship with the EFF stemmed from his party's refusal to be influenced by white political structures.
"Helen Zille's hatred of us is that we're the only party which cannot be controlled by white people," he said.
Malema's remarks arrive at a moment of heightened friction within the GNU. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula recently raised the possibility of reviewing the ANC's relationship with the DA after the opposition party backed the Independent Electoral Commission's opposition to the ANC's bid to reinstate 181 disqualified councillor candidates.
Helen Zille fired back at Mbalula over those comments.
How did South Africans react?
South Africans following the story online were largely sceptical of Malema's overture.
Pierre Burger wrote:
"Yeah and also, I could marry Taylor Swift if she divorces Travis."
Nelis Gildenhuys commented:
"I think he must worry less about GNU and start to worry about the Commission. He'll get quiet again as soon as they ask him to come and visit."
Solly Matipwili asked:
"So he's ok with the MK Party now that they have the same enemy."
Craig Weldon said:
"Nobody wants him there."
George Munro wrote:
"The only group you should join is those in orange coveralls at Pollsmoor."
Trevor Meiring added:
"That's not going to happen, Julius."
Malema says Mbalula is preventing EFF from joining GNU
Briefly News reported in 2025 that Malema discussed what was preventing the EFF from joining the GNU.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Red Berets also spoke about Mbalula's chances of becoming ANC president.
South Africans weighed in on the EFF leader's comments, with some noting how much he spoke about the ANC.
Source: Briefly News
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