University of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) political analyst, Professor Ntsikeleko Breakfast, has described the leadership style of re-elected president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as one that seeks to be “worshipped like God,” arguing that it could undermine the party’s democracy and stability.

This comes after Malema was re-elected for the third time as the president of the red berets.

Breakfast argued that Malema anointed those in power.

Malema and other officials were elected unopposed at the party’s third elective conference, dubbed the National People’s Assembly (NPA) on Saturday, December 14.

Malema was re-elected for the third term as the president of the party, while former secretary general Godrich Gardee, was also elected for the deputy president position.

Gardee's unopposed election follows a defection of a longtime friend and ally of Malema - Floyd Shivambu, to join Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

Marshall Dlamini, who is close to Malema, was re-elected unopposed for the secretary general position, while Omphile Maotwe also returned as the treasurer general.

Newcomers to the top leadership positions, included Leigh-Ann Mathys, as the deputy secretary general, and Noluthando Nolutshungo as the national chairperson of the party. Three of the six officials are women.

In an interview with IOL News, Breakfast expressed that he was not shocked by the outcomes of the election results.

“I'm not taken aback by that. I saw it coming that only those who are anointed by Julius Malema will be elected,” he said.

While Breakfast acknowledged that the red berets hold its elective conference every five years, he slammed its processes, describing it as ‘partial democracy.’

“But I would call it a partial democracy because if, for instance, you are going to kick people out of the party because they prefer a particular candidate, I mean, that's not a fully-fledged democratic practice.”

Another thing that did not surprise Breakfast, was the self-nomination of Esther Molepo, a delegate from Mpumalanga for the deputy president position.

While Molepo cited gender equality as her main reason for her nomination, however, Breakfast questioned whether Molepo was acting in good faith or she was sent by Malema to create confusion within the party.

“Did she do that in good faith, because she wanted to convey a message that you can't be elected without being challenged? Or, it could be that she was also sent, just to create confusion,” he said, adding that Molepo’s actions should be monitored.

Breakfast also criticised the party for its failure to empower women in leadership positions, calling it ‘all talk and no action,’ with regard to the EFF having stated a commitment to feminism and gender equality.

He said he had identified two threats facing the party, one being internal divisions fuelled by Malema’s leadership style and the other one being external competition from the MK party.

“Internal threats are the suppression of a democracy, because when you don't practice democracy, people are going to walk out of the party,” he said referring to Malema’s leadership approach.

He added that Malema’s failure to foster a more democratic environment could hinder the party’s growth.

Breakfast said another competition from the MK party, which he said he believes has replaced the EFF in some areas has become a major challenge.

”The MK party has replaced the EFF. So, that's a question that the party should grapple with,” he said.

In order to address these challenges, Breakfast suggested that the party would benefit from creating a ‘Council of the Wise,’ to advise its leadership.

He argued that Malema’s leadership style, which he described as seeking to be “worshipped like God,” prevented him from being held accountable for his actions.

“You don't want to explain your actions, you might as well behave like, you know, you are God. Because, you can't make decisions then report yourself,” he said.

IOL Politics

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Is Julius Malema untouchable? Political analyst questions EFF president's 'God-like' leadership style