Julius Malema facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julius Malema
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Malema in 2024
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| President of the Economic Freedom Fighters | |
| Assumed office 26 July 2013 |
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| Deputy | Godrich Gardee |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| 9th President of the African National Congress Youth League | |
| In office April 2008 – April 2012 |
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| Deputy | Andile Lungisa Ronald Lamola |
| Preceded by | Fikile Mbalula |
| Succeeded by | Collen Maine |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2014 |
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| Constituency | Limpopo |
| President of the Congress of South African Students | |
| In office 1999–2002 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Julius Sello Malema
3 March 1981 Seshego, Transvaal Province, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress (1990–2012) Economic Freedom Fighters (2013–present) |
| Spouse |
Mantwa Matlala
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | University of South Africa University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Nickname | Juju |
Julius Sello Malema (born 3 March 1981) is a South African politician. He is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). This political party is known for its members wearing red berets and military-style outfits.
Before starting the EFF, he was the president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 2008 until 2012. He was removed from the party in 2012.
As a child, Malema joined the ANC and was a very active member. He became president of its Youth League in April 2008. While leading the Youth League, he supported the idea of the government taking control of South Africa's mining industry. He also supported taking land without paying for it. He became well-known as a strong supporter of Jacob Zuma, who was then the ANC president and later the President of South Africa.
However, Malema's relationship with Zuma became difficult. By 2012, Malema was campaigning for Zuma to be removed from office. In April 2012, Malema was expelled from the ANC. The next year, he started the EFF. He was elected to the National Assembly in 2014.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Julius Malema was born on 3 March 1981. He grew up in the township of Seshego near Polokwane in the Limpopo region. His family is Northern Sotho. His mother was a domestic worker and raised him alone. After his mother passed away, his grandmother raised him.
Getting Involved in Student Politics
Malema says he joined the Masupatsela (meaning "trailblazers") movement of the African National Congress (ANC) when he was about nine or ten years old. His main job then was to remove posters of the National Party. In 1995, Malema joined the ANC Youth League. He became the chairperson of his local branch in Seshego. In 1997, he became the provincial chairperson of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in Limpopo. He was elected as the national president of COSAS in 2001.
His Education Journey
Malema finished high school at Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego. In 2010, he earned a diploma in youth development from the University of South Africa (UNISA). He later completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and African languages in March 2016 at UNISA. In 2017, he earned an Honours degree in philosophy. In 2018, he started a master's degree program at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Leading the ANC Youth League
Becoming President in 2008
By 2008, Malema was a strong candidate to become the national president of the ANC Youth League. He had the support of the outgoing president, Fikile Mbalula. After a very intense campaign, Malema was elected ANC Youth League president in April 2008. He won with 1,833 votes.
The election results were questioned by some delegates. They claimed that some people were stopped from voting. The conference became very disorderly, with some delegates throwing chairs. Malema later spoke about the "unbecoming conduct" at the conference. After the main ANC party stepped in, the Youth League held another meeting in June. The results of the April election were then confirmed.
Supporting Jacob Zuma: 2008–2010
When he became Youth League president, Malema was a strong supporter of ANC president Jacob Zuma. He was also a critic of former ANC president Thabo Mbeki. In June 2008, Malema defended Zuma, who was facing corruption charges. Malema famously said, "We are prepared to die for Zuma."
Before the 2009 general election, Malema was asked to run for Member of Parliament. He declined, saying Parliament was "for old people." However, he campaigned strongly for the ANC and for Zuma. After Zuma became President in May 2009, Malema continued to support him.
However, by mid-2010, their relationship became difficult. Malema later said he turned against Zuma because he felt Zuma was not following the left-wing policies he had promised. Others believe Zuma changed his stance towards Malema because Malema's strong statements were becoming a problem for him.
Disciplinary Actions: 2010
By early 2010, many people wanted Zuma to control Malema's strong statements. The ANC leadership also expressed concerns about members disrespecting decisions. These statements were seen as being directed at Malema.
In March and April 2010, Malema was involved in more public issues. One issue involved a controversial song. Another was a visit to Zimbabwe, where Malema praised the ZANU-PF party. This caused worries that the ANC might copy Zimbabwe's land reform program.
On 8 April, Malema had a public argument with a BBC journalist, Jonah Fisher. Malema used strong words towards the journalist. The ANC later said his behavior was "regrettable and unacceptable."
Official Rebuke and Charges
On 10 April 2010, Zuma publicly spoke about Malema's actions. Zuma said that defying court rulings was against ANC instructions. He also said Malema's comments about Zimbabwe were not helpful. Zuma described Malema's recent behavior as "alien to the ANC." He suggested that Malema would face internal disciplinary actions.
Malema remained defiant after Zuma's speech. The ANC then announced that Malema would face formal disciplinary proceedings. He was charged with bringing the ANC into disrepute.
Agreement Reached
In May 2010, Malema reached an agreement with the disciplinary committee. He had to pay a fine and attend anger management classes. He also had to apologize publicly to Zuma and the ANC. Most charges were dropped, but he was found guilty of causing division within the ANC. The agreement stated that if he repeated this offense within two years, his ANC membership would be suspended.
Political Ideas
Supporting Caster Semenya
In 2009, Malema strongly defended South African runner Caster Semenya. This was during a time when there was international discussion about Semenya's gender. He also defended Leonard Chuene, the president of Athletics South Africa (ASA). Chuene had allowed Semenya to compete even after a gender test. Malema argued that Chuene was right to protect Semenya.
Views on Nationalisation and Land
Malema strongly supports the government taking control of South African mines. He first called for this in July 2009. He believes that the Freedom Charter supports this idea. He also supports taking land without paying for it. He believes that white South Africans "stole land." In April 2010, Malema visited Venezuela to learn about their nationalisation program.
In early 2010, Malema encouraged ANC Youth League members to join the South African National Defence Force. He said there were plans for the Youth League leaders to join a reservist program.
Re-election in 2011
In June 2011, Malema was re-elected for a second term as Youth League president. He ran unopposed. Ronald Lamola became the new deputy president.
Expulsion from the ANC: 2011–2012
Botswana Comments
On 31 July 2011, Malema made controversial comments about Botswana. He called the ruling party there "a foot stool of imperialism." He also said the Youth League planned to help Botswana's opposition parties. These comments were seen as a criticism of Zuma's government.
Disciplinary Process
Malema and the Youth League later withdrew the statement about Botswana. However, the ANC announced on 22 August 2011 that Malema would face disciplinary proceedings. He was charged with bringing the ANC into disrepute. Other Youth League leaders were also charged.
When the hearing began on 30 August 2011, a rally of Malema's supporters became violent. Some supporters broke through police barriers and threw objects. The police used water cannons and mace to disperse the crowd. Malema asked the crowd to be calm.
Outcome and Appeals
On 10 November, the ANC National Disciplinary Committee found Malema guilty. They said his comments about Botswana were "reckless and baseless." They also said his remarks had "damaged the standing of the ANC and South Africa's international reputation."
As a result, Malema was suspended from the ANC for five years. He also had to leave his position as president of the ANC Youth League. Malema said he would appeal the decision. On 4 February 2012, his appeal was dismissed. On 29 February, the committee decided to expel him completely from the party. They said he had not shown remorse and refused to accept the ANC's decisions. On 24 April 2012, Malema's expulsion was confirmed after his final appeal was rejected.
Economic Freedom Fighters
After being expelled from the ANC, Malema spoke out against the government's actions during the August 2012 Marikana massacre. He called for Zuma to resign.
He also made comments during a visit to Zimbabwe in October 2012. He said that white people in Africa had taken mineral resources from local people. He also said that paying for land taken would be like "thanking them with money for killing our people."
Starting the Economic Freedom Fighters
In June 2013, Malema began to gather support for his new political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). South African President Jacob Zuma said that the ruling party did not see this new party as a threat. Malema started asking for money to fund the new political party.
Malema visited Nigerian religious leader T.B. Joshua in August 2013 for 'spiritual blessings'. This visit with some EFF members also received media attention.
At the party's first national conference in Bloemfontein in December 2014, Malema was elected, without opposition, as president of the EFF. Floyd Shivambu, who was also removed from the ANC Youth League at the same time as Malema, was elected as his deputy. Both Malema and Shivambu were re-elected without opposition in December 2019.
Serving as a Member of Parliament: 2014–2022
In the 2014 general election, less than a year after it started, the EFF won 25 seats in the National Assembly. Malema was sworn in as a Member of the National Assembly on 21 May 2014. He was re-elected in the 2019 general election.
Malema has been removed from Parliament several times. In June 2014, he was removed during a debate after he refused to take back a statement. He and other EFF members were removed from Zuma's 2015 State of the Nation address. This happened after they insisted on questioning Zuma about the Nkandlagate scandal. Malema said South Africa was a "police state." In September 2015, he was removed and suspended for five days. He was removed again during Zuma's State of the Nation addresses in 2016 and 2017.
Comments on Farm Attacks
On 23 August 2018, Malema spoke about the idea that white people were being targeted in South Africa. He disagreed with comments made by United States President Donald Trump. Trump had asked his Secretary of State to investigate South African farm attacks. Malema said it was "absolute rubbish to say there's white genocide." He added that South Africans would not be intimidated by Mr. Trump.
At a media briefing, Malema also claimed that "there's a group of white right-wingers who are being trained by Jews in Pretoria to be snipers." The South African Jewish Board of Deputies criticized Malema's comments. They called them "attention-seeking behavior" and said they aimed to create racial tension.
Comments on F. W. de Klerk's Passing
On 11 November 2021, the day F. W. de Klerk passed away, Malema posted a message on social media. He tweeted, "Thank you God," followed by dancing emojis. Many people understood this as a reaction to de Klerk's death. Malema later supported the government's decision not to give de Klerk a state funeral.
Personal Life
Malema married his long-time girlfriend in a private ceremony in his hometown of Seshego in 2014. Their first son, Munzhedzi, was born in 2016. Their second son, Kopano, was born in 2018. Malema also has a son named Ratanang from a previous relationship.
Images for kids
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Malema in 2024
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Young activists in Johannesburg wearing t-shirts with Malema's face, December 2010
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Malema in September 2011
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See also
In Spanish: Julius Malema para niños
