Julius Malema

Julius Malema is a South African politician and the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing political party established in 2013. He is a member of the National Assembly and serves as the commander-in-chief of the EFF, which has positioned itself as a radical voice advocating for land expropriation without compensation, nationalisation of mines and banks, and economic transformation. Malema rose to national prominence as president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 2008 to 2012, where he became known for his fiery rhetoric and populist appeals. His tenure in the ANCYL was marked by controversy, including disciplinary proceedings that ultimately led to his expulsion from the ANC in 2012 for bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division. Following his expulsion, he founded the EFF, which has grown to become the third-largest party in South Africa's Parliament. Malema's political career has been accompanied by legal challenges, including charges related to money laundering, fraud, racketeering and tax evasion, as well as prosecutions for incitement. He remains a polarising figure in South African politics, drawing both fervent support from those who see him as a champion of the poor and criticism from those who view his rhetoric as divisive. His influence extends beyond Parliament through mass rallies, social media presence and his party's role in coalition politics at municipal level. Born in Seshego, Limpopo, in 1981, Malema's political activism began in his youth, and he has maintained a prominent position in national discourse on economic inequality and racial justice.