Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has said he does not hate former President Jacob Zuma.
Malema made the comment in a late-night question-and-answer session with his followers via Instagram stories on Sunday.
When a follower asked him why he “hates” former President Jacob Zuma, he replied, “I don’t hate Zuma even though he did horrible things to me after I supported him.”
Winnie Mandela ‘favourite African leader’
Malema also touted the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as his “favourite African leader of all time.”
One follower asked him, “When are we removing Cyril?” The EFF leader replied, “It’s in your hands guys. Don’t abdicate your responsibility.”
Another one asked him when he would return to the ANC and he replied, “Not even in my next life.”
“How did you accumulate wealth at your age? You know we watch the news,” a follower asked. Malema responded, “Don’t believe everything.”
Relationship with Floyd Shivambu
Malema also compared his relationship with his deputy Floyd Shivambu with that of former African National Congress (ANC) leaders OR Tambo and Nelson Mandela.
A fan asked him to describe the relationship and why “it is so strong.” Malema simply replied, “OR Tambo and Nelson Mandela.”
He said he would have been a “commercial farmer of note” had he not been in politics and that his aspiration in life is to “inspire confidence in an African child.”
The EFF leader said his plans for 2020 are to grow the EFF while those for the new decade are to pursue African unity.
The wide-ranging question-and-answer session also ventured to the less public aspects of Malema’s life.
For instance, he said water is his favourite drink and that he believes in God “through his son Jesus Christ.” He also doesn’t like TV and therefore doesn’t have a favourite TV show.
Malema said the “encouraging words you say to your kids” are “work hard and love school.” He added that he will be spending Christmas at his late grandmother’s house in Seshego, Limpopo.