After Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi announced that he was joining the Economic Freedom fighters (EFF), the red berets’ leader Julius Malema said he hoped the former president would join as well.
Malema said the EFF’s numbers are growing and the party is not shocked that Manyi had joined.
“It is the only organisation that a black self-caring person and self-respecting person will join,” said Malema.
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He then added that former president Jacob Zuma would be welcome to join the EFF as well.
“We hope very soon we will welcome Mr President Zuma into the EFF — it’s a home of rehabilitation. Anyone who wants to come they are more than welcome.”
Watch: Malema on Zuma joining the EFF
Malema was speaking at the Elkana Child Care Centre as the EFF celebrated its 10th anniversary in Malmesbury, Western Cape.
Manyi resigns from ATM
On Friday, Manyi announced that he had resigned from the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and was joining the EFF.
The former government spokesperson said the EFF is the right “home for him”.
“I must hasten to say that this is not a pronouncement on the ATM. The ATM continues to be a good solid organisation and is poised for growth,” he said.
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Manyi added that he was joining the EFF because the party had the “urgency” needed to solve South Africa’s problems.
“The country is really headed for a failed state situation. You need an organisation that has got a sense of urgency like the EFF. So, I want to be part of making a contribution to that effort by the EFF to rid South Africa of colonialism, rampant corruption and this whole situation of joblessness because the country has got no leadership.”
Manyi also said that previous disagreements he had with the EFF were “overwhelmingly overshadowed by what I agree with them on”.
He also said he would continue to be the spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation.
Additional reporting by Faizel Patel
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