Anderson Cooper Style: The Verbal Spat Between McKenzie And Malema
- Minister Gayton McKenzie had a heated exchange with Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
- Malema called McKenzie a "jailbird" and refused to retract his comments, leading to his removal from the session.
- McKenzie fired back, and many South Africans expressed frustration with Malema's language and unwillingness to back down.
With over seven years of experience at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a journalist for Briefly News, shares insights into South African politics, governance, and parliamentary affairs. His expertise spans national, provincial, and local levels, including the dynamics of political parties and the Government of National Unity.
PARLIAMENT — In a dramatic showdown at Parliament, Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie didn’t shy away from responding to Julius Malema, the fiery president of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Malema’s aggressive verbal tactics didn’t intimidate McKenzie, who fired back with a message that resonated with many watching the exchange unfold.
Malema’s Provocative Label: Jailbird
In a clip shared by @MDNnewss, the tension between Malema and McKenzie reached a boiling point. Malema, known for his bold and often controversial remarks, referred to McKenzie as a "bantiti," a slang term for "jailbird." When asked to withdraw his statement, Malema refused, doubling down on his stance and asserting that his words were neither vulgar nor untruthful. This refusal resulted in Malema and another EFF member being removed from the virtual parliamentary session.
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Despite the insult, McKenzie remained calm and composed in his response. He admitted that he didn’t mind being called a former convict but used the opportunity to highlight the political dynamics in the Western Cape. "I don’t mind you calling me a bantiti," McKenzie said, "but let me remind you of something. In the Western Cape, my name was on the ballot. So was the EFF’s. People looked at your name, but they decided not to vote for you. Instead, they chose me—the bantiti. They voted for the bantiti."
Watch the full exchange here.
Public Backlash Against Malema
The public reaction to Malema’s behavior was swift and strong. Many South Africans expressed disappointment, criticizing Malema for his choice of words and his refusal to back down. The incident sparked a national conversation about respect, decorum, and accountability in political discourse.
One commenter, God Guluva, joked that Malema should consider changing his name to Julia Malema, mocking his behavior. Another user, NkosiMxo, questioned whether the two leaders were too old to be acting in such a manner. Sindiswa chimed in, suggesting that Malema’s behavior was a reflection of his own internal struggles, projecting his unhappiness onto others. Meanwhile, Instigator_Parody warned that Malema’s actions could lead to the downfall of the EFF, stating that the party might soon become irrelevant. Katleho, a supporter of McKenzie, celebrated the minister’s response, declaring, "Our lord Gayton cooked here!"
Malema’s Influence in EFF’s Leadership Crisis
The fallout from this incident adds to the growing concerns about Julius Malema’s leadership within the EFF. In a separate report by Briefly News, former EFF member Mpho Morolane cited Malema’s stance on immigration as the reason for his departure from the party. Morolane claimed he could no longer tolerate Malema’s views on migration, sparking further debate about the EFF’s policies and their impact on the party’s future. As the EFF faces increasing scrutiny, many are watching closely to see how Malema navigates these challenges and whether his leadership can withstand the mounting pressure.
