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EFF’s Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema with AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa at the royal house of King Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu.
- EFF leader Julius Malema says critics of King Goodwill Zwelithini are cowards.
- He describes Zwelithini’s critics as “heroes in times of peace” because they did not criticize the king when he was alive.
- Malema says he spoke to Zwelithini about the land debate.
EFF leader Julius Malema responded to King Goodwill Zwelithini’s critics, saying that it was improper to speak ill of the dead because they could not defend themselves.
“Most of these peacetime heroes speak ill [about King Zwelithini] now, but it was something they couldn’t do when the king was still alive. So we really don’t have time for cowards. If they had something to say, they should have said it to their faces. Now, he cannot answer for himself, “he told the media during his visit to Nongoma on Tuesday afternoon.
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King Zwelithini died last week of Covid-19-related complications after a long hospital stay, during which his diabetes condition was monitored.
Since then, the royal house of Nongoma has been inundated with guests, including dignitaries from across the country.
Malema said of Zwelithini that it was important to focus on the good.
“Let’s see what is good about the work the king did in this area and throughout South Africa. We only learn the good from the dead and deliberately ignore the bad because they are not here to answer for themselves.”
He added that African culture was clear when it came to talking about the dead.
“In African culture it is unheard of to speak ill of the dead. For this reason, if we don’t like you, it is best to keep quiet. So, keep them quiet, because they speak very badly of the dead. When death visits them and we return the favor, people will say that we are insensitive. “
READ ALSO | Zulu Royal Family Criticizes King Zwelithini’s Sunday Newspaper Obituaries As ‘Vulgar Lies’
Malema said criticism of the king should be expected.
“The king was not money, he will not be loved by everyone. As a human being, we expect people to have different views of you, especially when you are a leader.”
Land talks
Malema said he had many discussions with Zwelithini about the land redistribution debate.
“We had a great debate with her majesty on earth and we had very interesting engagements on earth issues. We have always emphasized in the EFF that the custodians of the earth, so to speak, are the kings and the chiefs. I need to work with them to make sure we redistribute the land and give it to our people. “
He said that both he and Zwelithini agreed that the land should also be given to women.
“It must not only be given to men, it must also be given to women, an idea that His Majesty appreciated and accepted, that we have entered an era in which there can no longer be men and women, we must be a nation.”
Zwelithini is expected to be laid to rest Wednesday night in a private burial attended by only men, according to his dying wishes.
His official memorial service will take place at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma on Thursday, starting at 10:00.
