It’s been an interesting year in South Africa’s parliament. Quarrels and skirmishes have been the order of almost every day in National Assembly (which has overshadowed the policy and decision making), the National Speaker doesn’t recognize anyone and our President is playing Houdini! All that being said we at LFP think , despite their constant shouting matches, many MPs would actually make close friends outside of parliament. Here’s a list of a few:
Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema
The unlikely team-up of the DA and the EFF for the Nkandla Ad Hoc committee showed glimpses of an unlikely friendship between Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema. They’ve had their fair share of differences over the years. In fact, earlier this year Mmusi called Julius’ political ideas “unworkable”, but could they actually be friends outside of parliament? It’s possible. Earlier this year, during the debate of the State of the Nation address, Maimane suffered a barrage of verbal abuse from Human Settlements minister Lindiwe Sisulu. She labelled the DA’s parliamentary leader a “hired native” and a “commodity”, which elicited a sharp reaction from Malema. The EFF’s Commander-in-Chief, blasted Sisulu for her comments and went as far as saying the EFF was willing to “protect” Maimane.
“Mmusi Maimane must not worry, we are here to protect him. If his party can’t do it, we will do it. We have seen that the ANC have made him a target,” Malema told the media. Could this be the start of a blossoming bromance? We can only speculate.
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Fikile Mbalula
Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula has had his fair share of run ins with the EFF this year. The most explosive one, however, was his twitter war with EFF trio Julius Malema, Sentletse Diakanyo and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi ,back in September this year, all at the same time. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they hooked up for a cognac and cigar now and then at the multiple events they attend throughout the calendar year.
Jacob Zuma and Mangosuthu Buthelezi
The IFP leader has been one of the most critical of the ANC’s reign over South Africa over the past 20 years, particular now in Jacob Zuma’s two terms. He was one of the many people who has put JZ under the gauntlet during his tenure, reacting to Zuma’s off-the-cuff remarks about opposition parties joining forces to table a motion of no confidence in the president. Be that as it may, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mangosuthu has been to JZ’s homestead a few times for dinner. They are both Zulu and traditionalists so it wouldn’t a huge shocker if they’re actually good friends.
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