EFF leader Julius Malema recently revealed that he had plans to establish an organisation similar to “Afrifoum” aimed at advancing the interests of people of colour in the country.  

Speaking on the first episode of his party’s podcast, he shared that he envisaged starting the organisation with former Judge President John Hlophe at the helm.  

“I wanted him to be a Gerrie Nel of some sort,” said Malema.  

Advocate Gerrie Nel leads Afriforum’s Private Prosecution Unit, after resigning as a state prosecutor.

Speaking on the EFF podcast, Malema said he spoke with Hlophe before he joined the MK Party but noted that their engagement was not about recruiting him into party politics. 

“He has got no politics, none whatsoever. And that’s why when he tried to join EFF, I said no,” Malema said.  

Malema explained that instead of party politics for Hlophe, he envisaged him at a civil organisation that would challenge institutions such as Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law.  

“We are going to form an AfriForum type of an organisation. But for black people. Its responsibility will be to mark the AfriForum,” Malema said. 

He further claimed that the EFF was prepared to support Hlophe financially during the establishment phase.  

“Because you don’t have income, we’re going to put you on the EFF payroll until we fully establish this thing,” Malema said, citing Hlophe’s “legitimacy” locally and abroad. 

Hlophe was impeached by Parliament in 2024, a decision that Malema disagreed with.  

However, Hlophe joined the MK Party, and Malema’s plans at the time for the lobby group were thwarted.  

Malema criticised his move, saying Hlophe “decided to join a wrong party which values no education at all and values no educated people”. Hlophe was suspended as parliamentary leader for the MK Party last year.