Truth be told, Julius Malema is one of the best opposition political leaders to have ever come out of Africa; at least after Kenya's Raila Odinga.
Around Africa, the script is the same; political leaders often oppress the opposition and being an opposition figure in a continent like Africa is no walk in the park for many.
"Without opposition, there could be no creation. All life would cease without resistance. " - K.J. Oldster
EFF leader, Julius Malema (JM) and Former South African President, Jacob Zuma, (JZ) have left social media magnets speculating about their meeting agenda. Journalists were not invited to attend the meeting that was held last Friday.
The closed-door meeting took place in KwaZulu-Natal, at JZ's Nkandla homestead. JM did the unexpected on Wednesday when he went on Twitter and asked to meet JZ over "tea" to discuss issues that are of "national importance."
JZ quickly responded and he had this to say: "Nkandla village is home and that is where my time is spent these days. Tea I have plenty of, you are more than welcome to come over for a cup."
JZ and JM have come a long way in politics and have gone from being allies to rivals and now vice versa all because of a cup of tea. The invitation sparked some hope among their supporters and surprisingly, the Malema-Zuma pact took place concurrently with the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Union, (AU) Summit.
While President Ramaphosa handed over the AU chairmanship to His Excellency, Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ramaphosa still has a lot to deal with back home, including ANC's internal affairs and the ANC-ZANU PF bilateral relations.
South Africa is going through a lot right now; the pandemic, the Zondo Commission of Inquiry, the SABC protests and the economic turmoil. The geopolitical discourse is a mess and maybe Malema saw it necessary to sit down with Zuma and try to figure out a vaccine that would cure the national crisis.
It is now an open secret that, one will never find permanent enemies or friends in the game of politics, instead, political animals have permanent interests, especially in Africa. This time around, JZ and JM are interested in something mutual and the world is curious to know.
What we already know for now is that, JZ has "plenty of tea" and JM took a private helicopter during the lockdown and flew all the way to KwaZulu-Natal just to have a cup of Zuma's tea. Suppose JZ and JM are plotting something, I doubt the pair, as experienced as they are, would publicize their top secret meetings on Twitter, I don't think so.
Advocate Dali Mpofu, the former EFF National Chairperson accompanied JM and rumour has it that, Malema and Mpofu tried to convince JZ to appear before the state capture inquiry. Before the meeting, JZ had announced that, he would defy a Constitutional Court order by refusing to appear before the inquiry.
All these are theories and opinions from the public, but another thing we are sure of is that; after years of bitter political rivalry between JZ and JM, the duo had to accept and let bygones be bygones, but for how long will this peace prevail? What will keep both teacups warm for the next party and at whose cost?
EFF spokesperson, Vuyani Pambo said, the two leaders had tea and it was hot and sweet. Well, cheers to the two leaders, but still, Malema dining with Zuma? It's a shocking headline - the two switching on the kettle and coming together just like that - it's unbelievable.
Anyway, politicians in South Africa have a special way to celebrate the month of love apart from roses and chocolates - they simply drink black coffee.
@stajicesimmz