Julius Malema is going to lead the revolution, but first, he needs to enjoy a touch of the good life inside one of South Africa’s most exclusive clubs.
Members of the Inanda Club, situated in the heart of Sandton’s suburbs, were taken aback when they saw the names ‘Julius Malema’ and ‘Mantwa Matlala’ on the list of new members.
Clearly, this could lead to some sideways glances whilst halfway through a prawn sandwich, with the club selling itself as ultra-exclusive and an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.
Here’s Times LIVE:
Members have access to sporting and dining facilities away from ordinary people.
“Today the Inanda Club offers privacy and exclusivity to like-minded individuals, with a need for business, sport and social networking. Situated in the heart of a busy and vibey Sandton it is a ‘way of life’ reminiscent of country living and rural tranquillity,” according to the club website.
Malema is listed on the club notice board as a member of parliament and his wife as “a director”.
Malema and his wife’s home address was given as a Hyde Park property rented from controversial tobacco tycoon Adriano Mazzotti. It is about 4km away from the Inanda Club.
Please, keep the ‘ordinary people’ away from me. They’re such a drag.
When pressed, club secretary Pauline Butler said it did not reveal who its members were, and would not give details on Malema’s membership.
Maybe he’s just having a good look around before deciding whether or not he wants the land.
The club’s website has a rolling display of polo players, a lavish clubhouse and pavilion, and a note that the club has an ‘automatic full system back-up generator’.
Ah yes, the finer things in life.
As always, it’s worth asking how the EFF continues to grow its support base, standing alone as the only one of the big three parties that is guaranteed to secure more votes than it did in 2014.
Back then the EFF secured 6,35% of the vote, which equates to 25 seats in Parliament, and the golden number this time around looks to be the 10% mark.
How is it possible that a party involved in the VBS looting scandal, led by a man with at least two criminal investigations pending against him, is assured such support at the voting booth?
Over to News24’s editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson:
Malema understands the national psyche and is deeply aware of the systemic fault lines that prevents growth and equality. He exploits these themes for political support and uses populist rhetoric to attract voters.
Despite not having clear, workable policy alternatives and being implicated in the VBS and On-Point corruption scandals himself, Malema has successfully managed to keep the do-as-I-say Malema apart from the do-as-I-do EFF leader.
He owned the “pay back the money” narrative that ultimately led to the fall of Jacob Zuma and masterfully spearheaded the Constitutional Court case that stopped just short of impeaching Zuma.
Through his insistence that Zuma pays back the money the state spent on his Nkandla upgrades, Malema and the EFF established themselves as fighters of corruption. Many voters will thank him for this at the ballot box.
But there is a second, bigger reason I think the EFF will grow their popular support this year. Through the party’s successful campaign to put land back on the national agenda, the EFF has positioned itself as the vanguard of black people’s interests.
Look at the EFF’s election posters. Malema is called “son of the soil” and its slogan is clear and simple: “Our land and jobs now.” Unlike the ANC and DA, the EFF does not pretend to be a party for all South Africans.
The EFF is unashamedly pro-black and promises to return the land and create jobs for millions of unemployed black people, while it chastises white and Indian people.
Not sure how joining Sandton’s most exclusive club shows your dedication to serving the needs of black South Africans, but Julius and his party sure talk a good game.
At the end of the day, it appears that will be enough to nail down plenty of seats in Parliament, so expect the red overalls and hard hat battles to rage well into the next decade.
