Malema predicts ANC 2027 conference will elect a president who is anti GNU:
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says his party will be ready to go into government once the ANC removes the Democratic Alliance from the government of national unity (GNU).
Malema made the comment in his closing address on Sunday to the EFF’s third elective conference which saw him returned unopposed as party leader.
The party’s other top six members include deputy president Godrich Gardee, secretary general Marshall Dlamini, deputy secretary general Leigh-Ann Mathys, national chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu and treasurer general Omphile Maotwe.
Malema told delegates that the national coalition government would not last, predicting that if President Cyril Ramaphosa did not bring into effect the two contentious clauses of the Basic Education Amendment (Bela) Act, ANC members were going to remove him.
If Ramaphosa was not removed now as South Africa’s president, this would happen after the ANC elective conference in 2027 and he would be replaced by someone opposed to the unity government, Malema went on to predict.
His remarks were an apparent reference to deputy president Paul Mashatile, who plays a key role in the coalition government with the DA and other parties but was seen singing an anti-GNU song at this week’s South African Communist Party congress.
“The person who is going to be elected is a person who is going to fight GNU, and that is why we are saying it will not last,” Malema said.
“Everywhere else it is being rejected, but people keep on imposing it on members of the ANC, so don’t rush comrades, we are waiting, we are going to enter this government. We are just waiting, you will see.”
He said when the ANC started fighting with DA federal chair Helen Zille, the EFF would enter government. It would do this not to save the ANC, but to work for the people and through this, they would vote the EFF into power at the next elections, Malema added.
“Our people gave all the progressive black parties a majority to govern in South Africa, the ANC decided to go with right wingers, racists, white supremacists. It will come back to its senses. When it comes back to its senses, When it comes back to its senses, we are here,” he said.
Malema said if the ANC were to invite Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party into the coalition government, that would be its own problem, making clear that the EFF’s participation wasn’t dependent on MK’s inclusion.
“We want nothing to do with uMkhonto (but) it’s their own (problem) if they want them… We can’t choose friends for them anyway. They were friends together, criminals,” he said.
Malema said being tasked with the responsibility of being the vanguard of the struggle for economic freedom was not a personal achievement for the EFF’s newly-elected leaders.
“No one has won anything here today. It is only the EFF. The EFF showed the highest level of discipline and democracy without any incidents of violence or humiliation of any individual,” he said, adding that the conference had proved that the party was “bigger than all of them”.
“There were countless attempts to inspire division, factionalism and disunity ahead of this national people’s assembly, and as delegates of branches of the EFF, you resisted the agents of disruption and delivered a successful conference. For this, I thank you,” he told delegates.
Malema said many of the members of the EFF central command team (CCT) who were elected on Saturday would be leading at the national level for the first time and the party should determine what this entailed. Every CCT member must be an all rounder with the capacity to organise and mobilise without seeking external assistance, he added.
Malema said there were people who had been working day and night to divide the EFF, not because they hated the party, but because they could never succeed outside factional politics.
“So our leaders will have to grow very fast, because factionalism is what destroyed the ANC and it will destroy the EFF. Our leaders must learn to consult each other. There is no leader here who possesses all of the wisdom,” he said.
“If you are a secretary of a province, you find yourself talking to other secretaries of provinces, giving them names from your province, and you have not consulted with your chairperson about that. You must know you are a problem.
“You have to respect each other and respecting each other means you have to respect each other’s views. You don’t have to agree with the name, but give them an opportunity to express themselves.”
In an apparent reference to EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, who had been punted as a potential deputy president, but skipped the elective conference, Malema said “there is no leader of the EFF who’s not here in front”.
“There’s no leader of the EFF who’s not here in Nasrec. If they are not here, they are not leaders of the EFF. You must never regard them as the leaders of the EFF,” he added.
Zuma preaches black unity ahead of 2026 and 2029 elections at MK party’s first anniversary rally:
Jacob Zuma has used the first anniversary rally of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party
to position it as a champion of black unity and call on its supporters to return him to office so he can complete the “unfinished business” interrupted by his recall by the ANC.
The party marked a year of existence on Sunday with a spirited but delayed rally at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, which it failed to fill, despite predictions by its leadership earlier in the week that it would be packed to capacity.
The delays, searing heat in the open stands and a withdrawal of planned trains from the townships around Durban all appear to have contributed to Zuma addressing a far from full stadium.
The former president called on his supporters to prepare for the 2026 local government vote — which he said the party would win — and for the next national and provincial elections, which he noted were only just over four years away.
“There are four years left before we vote again and take back what is ours and to fix our country,” Zuma said. “Are you with me? Stop acting like it will take 10 years. We need to work now, so we can be back in power.”
He called for the unity of black parties in 2026 and in 2029, saying that “black people must come together in local government and fix what happened in the past” in the coming election.
Zuma thanked the leadership of the African Transformation Movement and other parties involved in the so-called progressive caucus in parliament for attending the anniversary — an invitation which was declined by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
In a reference to this — and to the rejection of his unity call by EFF president Julius Malema at the party’s national people’s assembly this week — Zuma said this was not the time for black parties to be fighting and insulting each other.
The former head of state called on black parties to “stop fighting each other” in the coming elections and take power, and then return to normal politics.
“We are not playing here. This is the last phase of our fight for our country,” he said.
The MK leader continued with his narrative that the party had been robbed of a two-thirds majority in 29 May general elections — when it took 17% of the national vote and 45% in KwaZulu-Natal — and called for changes to the vote counting system.
The MK party has lodged a second challenge to the May results in the electoral court.
Zuma called for changes to the electoral system, urging his supporters to challenge the status quo and protest in order to ensure that votes are counted publicly, locally and “not by strangers”.
“They robbed us of our votes. In future, we must also be there as the community when they are counting our votes so we know exactly what has happened. There must be public counting. We need that,” he said.
“We must all agree that in the next election, MK must have a big drum for votes, and the other parties, and we must be there when they count the votes. We don’t care what the regulations say.”
The MK leader also used the occasion to remind his followers why he had started the party, telling them that there were things that “we must not forget about”, including colonialism, apartheid and land dispossession, which continued today through the government of national unity.
“We are here today to say that there must be unity of black people. We are the only people who are struggling. Nobody else will take us out of our struggles. It is only us,” he said.
“Let us never forget what white people did to us.”
Zuma said the ANC’s refusal to allow him to make the changes he wanted to and its move to recall him in 2018 were among the reasons that prompted him to form the new party.
After 30 years in power, the ANC had “decided to join white people” and “slowly shifted away from me, and until we became enemies”, he charged.
With one year left in office, “comrades were abusing me” because “they could see I was changing most of the things”, Zuma said, adding that he was “pushed out and forced to leave, so I left”.
The former ANC president said the governing party had been “used as a weapon to defeat us”.
He added that the Zondo state capture commission which implicated him in corruption had been used “to say people who didn’t steal were called thieves, yet they were all stealing”.
Zuma said nothing had happened about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s scandals, including “money under his couches,” a reference to the Phala Phala affair.
“The president has the worst cases but he has never appeared in court. Even if you have done nothing, you will appear in court. I’m coming from prison,” Zuma said, referring to his 2021 incarceration for contempt of court.
“They said, arrest him, arrest him, but the one who has got money under the couches, he is the president. He is a good person.”
Also addressing supporters on Sunday, Zuma’s deputy John Hlophe called on party members to stop “jostling for positions” and settling up parallel structures.
The MK party has found itself in court over the removal of MPs to accommodate members brought in after the elections — including Hlophe himself — and recently lost cases in both the Mpumalanga legislature and the national assembly.
It is also facing a court battle over which of two rival MK candidates will represent the party in a by-election in Pietermartizburg next week.
“There is no movement that is immune from internal challenges. MK is no exception to this. As a young and dynamic organisation, we have faced growing pains that accompany rapid expansion and the pursuit of real change,” Hlophe said.
Both were an “unfortunate reality” in politics, but while “ambition is natural it must never come at the expense of our shared vision”, he added.
He said factionalism “presents a serious threat” to the party and would weaken it and distract it from its mission.
“We must address these issues decisively with a firm hand and an unwavering focus on the greater good,” Hlophe said.
Westcliff, the rich ridge with a view:
I took a scroll down memory lane on the Heritage Portal and came across The History of Westclif?f by Kathy Munro, an honorary associate professor in the school of architecture and planning at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Westcliff, once called West Cliffe, earned its name from its dramatic location perched on top of a rugged cliff in Johannesburg.
This striking vantage point offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The two-word name was soon replaced by the easier Westcliff.
The area, with its lush green gardens and charming homes built using old-school construction techniques, is rich with history. Johannesburg officially became a city in only 1928, but houses in the Westcliff area were designed and built well before that by famous architects such as Herbert Baker and FLH Fleming.
I truly admire the remarkable initiative taken by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation in placing blue discs of historical information on several of the prominent homes in this area. These elegant plaques serve as windows into the past, offering a concise yet engaging narrative about each property.
They reveal not only the names of the architects and original homeowners but also highlight the geographical significance of the locations. Each heritage disc transforms a mere stroll through the neighbourhood into a captivating journey through time, enriching our understanding of the history that surrounds us.
This special area of Johannesburg really shows off this time of year. During this season, a sea of purple hues drape over the suburb courtesy of the beautiful jacaranda trees in full bloom. Their delicate petals create a stunning overhead canopy, casting a dreamlike atmosphere over the suburb.
Within Westcliff is an urban jewel, the only Four Seasons Hotel in South Africa. Guests are encouraged to come and enjoy a luxurious retreat amid the natural beauty and vibrant city life.
The site where the Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff, is located today has a special (and somewhat contentious) history.
Circa 1918, the first-ever lavish residential block, comprising 27 apartments, was built here. Each apartment was designed with spacious rooms and its own fireplace.
Samuel Sondheim was the ambitious developer behind this landmark, and John Waterson and Harry Veale were the talented architects who brought the vision to life.
The residential development was for a while called Westcliff Park and was complemented by beautifully manicured amenities, including a croquet lawn, a tennis court, and a children’s play area.
An attorney named Nat Gordon purchased this apartment block and named it after his son, Murray. Many will be familiar with the name Murray Gordon Mansions. The development was controversial, because many believed permission to build such a building in this area should not have been granted.
It was demolished in 1975.
The site stood empty for years. Developers saw the potential of this primely located site, but local residents opposed many of those plans, and they never came to fruition.
According to writer Jeanne Horak, the land was bought in 1993 by developers who built cluster houses, “but they misjudged the market and the completed homes stood empty for two years”.
Fast-forward to 1997, when the Westcliff Hotel was built. In 2013, it was sold once again and closed for a year while being renovated. It opened again in 2014, and now we see that the hillside hotel will be renovated once more.
Before becoming home to the Four Seasons brand, it was a Belmond hotel — sister to “The Nelly” in Cape Town, officially known as The Mount Nelson.
Over time, the Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff has expanded by buying up neighbouring homes that come up for sale in the area.
I spoke to Martin Thomas Cody, the regional vice-president and general manager of The Westcliff. He has been with the Four Seasons Hotel group for more than 23 years and oversees its properties in Serengeti, South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius, two in the Seychelles and a new development in Zanzibar.
Regarding the latest renovations for The Westcliff, guests can expect a soft refurbishment of the 80 rooms in early 2025.
They plan to build a lobby area that will include a new food and beverage lounge in addition to the renowned Flames Restaurant that is currently on the property. They are also building a 400-seater ballroom, which will complement the 100-seater that is already in place
The new lobby lounge and casual dining space will adjoin the spa and provide a seamless pathway for guests wanting to enjoy the views of Johannesburg from Flames Restaurant, which has one of the highest vantage points on the Westcliff hillside. Friends can meet for early-morning pastries with freshly brewed coffee or catch up over a casual lunch. The lounge then transforms into a bar and hotel guests and patrons can enjoy evening dinner and drinks with one of the best views in Johannesburg.
The current lobby is functional but the new lobby promises to be a warmer, welcoming heart of the hotel, ideal for socialising and gathering.
The interior design of this reimagined space draws inspiration from Johannesburg’s mining and gold history. Expect to see elements that reflect this heritage, with the incorporation of stone, raw materials and touches of gold.
Each piece of art in these newly designed areas will be sourced from local artists, ensuring that the space also pays homage to the community and culture that surround it.
They are installing a kitchen which will service the entire hotel. Everything will continue to be managed in-house, and the culinary offering and team will be expanded, creating 20 more jobs for new employees.
As far as the ballroom goes, the plan is to create a most luxurious event space while retaining the opulent, traditional ballroom feel. The hotel hosts weddings of up to 100 guests; the expansion will accommodate 400. Huge glass windows run along the perimeter of the ballroom and natural light floods in from all angles. The interior design elements will be neutral tones with a classy elegance. Brides and grooms can then use this base to decorate the wedding venue into their own dream.
The hotel presented the planned renovations to Westcliff residents and the residents’ association, which were well received. The owners of the hotel — ASB Investment from Dubai and HPL of Singapore — are also in full support of the renovation plans.
When it comes to the demographics of the guests who visit this urban retreat, Martin says the number one market is the United States. This is probably because of the familiarity of the well-established Four Seasons brand, which competes against The Ritz in the US. The second-biggest pool of guests comes from the United Kingdom, and South Africans are third.
The hotel’s local market took off during the Covid-19 pandemic. Martin says they are almost back at their occupancy numbers of 2019 and the spa, as well as food and beverage is supported by a large share of locals.
Johannesburg is a melting pot of culture, cuisine, and history. The hotel offers the true Jozi experience to all visitors. With a plethora of established art galleries and foodie hotspots sprinkled all over town, many guests request to pair their excursions with a half-day Soweto tour and a visit to the Apartheid Museum. While these are emotionally heavy experiences, they are among the top requests by foreign visitors to the hotel.
When guests are done exploring Johannesburg, they generally head off on a short drive towards safari turf that is home to the Big Five or take a flight to enjoy the coastline in the Mother City and the Winelands region.
This suburban jewel lies in one of the world’s largest cultivated urban forests. The renovations will be completed in the middle of 2025. Make sure you pop into the restaurant for a celebratory drink paired with one of the best views in the City of Gold.
Ask Ash is a column that examines South Africa’s property, architecture and living spaces. Continue the conversation with her on email (ash@askash.co.za) and X (@askashbroker).
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