The MK Party and the EFF on Friday ripped into President Cyril Ramaphosa during their responses to his opening of parliament address that he delivered on Thursday night. They told Ramaphosa and his government of national unity (GNU) executive how they felt.
Hlophe did not mince his words when he told Ramaphosa to his face that: “You have sold out.”
This was to set the tone for EFF leader Julius Malema. He later came on to add to the “sellout” and “collaborator” narrative.
According to Hlophe, Ramaphosa’s speech was nothing but a string of empty words. This for a man who, along with his GNU, were only concerned with blue lights and the perks that come with the positions they occupy.
Collaborator against his people
“It is very clear because of this bloated cabinet. It is all about blue lights. All about fancy cars. And you have forgotten why you were elected, Mr Ramaphosa, in the first place,” charged Hlophe.
“You have forgotten the reasons, to put it bluntly, you have sold out.” Hlophe opened the flood gates for Malema, who went for the kill. According to Malema, Ramaphosa’s selling out did not start with the GNU. It had been a long time in the making, since the apartheid days.
Malema made references to allegations by Cope leader Terror Lekota. He had accused Ramaphosa of selling out when they were both arrested in the 70s. Ramaphosa told the apartheid police that his comrades had planted communist ideas in his head. And as a result, he was released.
“It now makes sense that [back then] … you peacefully and uninterruptedly attended university. And you were given your first job by the ambassadors of apartheid capitalism and colonialism.
“Despite the apartheid regime being so oppressive against all freedom fighters,” said Malema.
‘Privileged apartheid beneficiary’
“Without a hustle, you bought your first car and a house. With the assistance of the … foundation which was anchored by the Ruperts and the Oppenheimers. While your comrades were sleeping under trees in exile and languishing in jails.”
It was also suspicious that Ramaphosa was the one who formed the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). This while he was not a mineworker, Malema continued the offensive.
“Kanti no, you were the conveyor belt between the workers and the super exploitative mining capitalists in South Africa. This was after the Oppenheimers had concluded that mineworkers must be organised.”
Insulated from arrests
Malema said Ramaphosa was insulated from arrest during the brutal anti-black apartheid regime. And this was because he was being prepared for other roles in the future.
These included Ramaphosa being the chief negotiator for the ANC during the Codesa negotiations. Codesa talks led to the democratic breakthrough in 1994. Something that remains a mystery to date, said Malema.
To this end, Malema said the many compromises made by the ANC during Codesa make sense. This is because it was Ramaphosa who was at the negotiation table and had the best interests of capital at heart.
Malema opined: “Your activities, actions and decisions over the past weeks since the defeat of the former liberation movement demonstrated that in the battle against apartheid and neoliberalism, you chose the side of the oppressor. Just like you did in the past, yet pretending to be with us the oppressed people.
“Why would the apartheid beneficiaries say that among all the black political leaders, you are the only one they can work with? To the extent that you are called a better black with a better accent, and you believe them over us.
DA and ANC sell-out coalition
“They call us criminals who must be arrested, whether we have committed any crime or not. Because we do not agree with them politically, and you believe them over us. We want to state that the coalition between the DA and ANC is a sell-out position.
“It is typical of collaborators who compromised the struggle against apartheid and colonialism.”
Malema added that “white arrogance” was at its all-time high in the country since 1994. This is under Ramaphosa’s tenure at the helm of the Union Buildings.
There comes a time in ones’ life when the realisation sets in, that you couldn’t possibly fit any more couches in any of your properties, without arousing suspicion. Equally as problematic is that you have nowhere comfortable left to sit.