Ramaphosa reveals that Malema never requested the deputy president position
It appears there’s no truth to the rumors that Malema sought the deputy president role, as Ramaphosa stated he never received any request from the EFF leader.
President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that, despite the reports and rumors circulating before and after the 29 May elections, Julius Malema has never approached him regarding a deputy president position.
Ramaphosa, speaking to eNCA’s Annika Larsen during a one-hour interview that aired on Thursday evening, poured cold water on the rumour that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) call him to appointed as South Africa’s second citizen.
“To his credit” Malema did not call me about being deputy president, Ramaphosa told Larsen.
Ramaphosa confirmed what Malema told EFF members a few weeks ago, addressing them after Floyd Shivambu defected to the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Malema: I did not ask for deputy president position
“I’ve never asked any position of deputy president from Ramaphosa and I will never do that because I don’t have anything to do with what Ramaphosa has to do,” said Malema.
“I said to Cyril, even when you constitute a government of 40% you must know [we] will demand the deputy speaker to hold government accountable and that deputy speaker is Veronica Mente. That’s what I told Cyril in the discussion of two people.”
Before elections, in an interview on 14 March, Malema expressed a desire to enter government, “in an important”.
Speaking to journalist Sam Mkokeli, Malema said: “It doesn’t matter which title I occupy. But you can be rest assured [sic] that after these elections, I will be playing an important role in this government.”
And when Mkokeli hinted at a “deputy president Julius Malema”, the EFF leader expressed loftier ambitions.
“Why do you choose deputy president? You are undermining me. Why are you not choosing president?” Malema said.
After the elections, however, the EFF slipped to fourth-biggest political party in South Africa, with the MK Party usurping the Red Berets’ third place behind ANC and Democratic Alliance (DA).
The meant Malema’s wish to play an important role in government was scuppered, with the ANC choosing DA and other parties to form the so-called government of national unity.
Late bid for president: Ramaphosa vs Malema
However, Malema had a last-ditch opportunity to join government, when the United Democratic Movement’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa nominated him for president in the National Assembly on 14 June 2024, after the seventh Parliament’s members were sworn in.
The ANC’s Mdumiseni Ntuli nominated Ramaphosa for the position and was seconded by Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Ramaphosa trounced Malema, clinching 283 votes, while Malema came in with 44 votes. Twelve votes were spoiled.
“Congratulations, Mr President. We accept the results.
“We don’t agree with this marriage of convenience [between ANC and Democratic Alliance]. We are going to ensure this Parliament is functional and you [Ramaphosa] and DA are held accountable,” Malema said in his loser speech.