Alice Mphafulane, 35, Johannesburg

“Julius Malema and his EFF are a scary prospect for South Africa’s politics. That’s how I feel about the party. However, I think that’s exactly what South African politics need right now. Malema has all the qualities of a brilliant leader but just a little immature because really if his party is to gain votes, he needs to watch his tongue at times. Take that and a few other negatives from the man and you are left with a complete leader. He’s brave and is not scared to speak his mind. Look, Malema is a great leader and the EFF are a fantastic bunch. I’d be one of the first people to vote for him if he were to show any signs of maturing as far as what he says goes.”

King Clicks, 19, Johannesburg

“The EFF are great. Malema is a good leader because he is not scared to tell the truth. Many leaders are conservative of the truth. I’d definitely like to see Malema ascend the high chair one day. He’d make a great president for the country. He also has loads of experience in South Africa’s politics. The country needs people like him. The EFF have a place in this democracy. They are an asset. Brave leadership is what’s important right now. Malema is a breath of fresh air. Malema is the kind of leader that I’d vote for. He is a real fighter and very important and relevant in the current political space in the country.”

Nomzamo Ntuli, 24, Soweto

“The EFF are violent, their leader is violent and can’t be allowed to be president because we’d start killing one another. Violence is a thing of the past and should be done away with. There is nothing progressive about preaching violence. Malema is violent and that rubbed off on the party. EFF supporters are not easy to manage and cannot be trusted to lead the country, not in the near future.”

Maditelo Majoro, 45, Soweto

“Malema is brave. He is not scared to confront difficult challenges and I think that is exactly what the country needs currently. I honestly like the EFF and Julius Malema and would definitely like to see them lead one day. Malema is also very experienced in politics as his political career can be traced back to when he was still ANC Youth League leader and further back. We really need people like him. The country needs brave leadership currently, which has been lacking since former president Thabo Mbeki descended the presidency chair. Malema and the EFF are a breath of fresh air.”

Christina Ruzive, 48, Soweto

“Malema is a good leader and the EFF are great. They have brought a necessary aspect in South Africa’s politics. Malema is very active in holding leadership accountable and that is important in politics currently. He is not scared and that is the spirit. He is direct and that’s what we need, bravery. The EFF are great, I’d vote. He might be a little immature but he will grow. I’d like for him to be president of the country one day but like I said, he needs to mature.”

Lucky Thahe, 32, Johannesburg

“My feeling is that Malema and the EFF are great. The EFF have brought much needed life into the South African political scene and that is something that wouldn’t have materialised had it not been for the leadership of Julius Malema. I definitely would like to see Malema in the high chair one day. However, that should happen in a few more years as I feel he’s still a little immature. Malema and the EFF are a breath of fresh air in South African politics and brave. He is not scared to take on corrupt leaders and is a direct talker. Those are the qualities of a great leader.”

Lawrence Zitha, 37, Johannesburg

“I feel that despite the growing support, Malema is a liability to this democracy. I’m concerned with his views on whites, which is one of those things that are tarnishing his image. It can’t be reasonable that we don’t need white people because that goes against the principles of democracy. Malema is all talk and not different from the thugs we see in others. Once he is elevated to the high seat, he will commit the same mistakes as his adversaries. He will turn his back on the masses. I feel Malema is fascinating but nothing more than that. I feel Malema and the EFF do not appreciate this country’s democracy.”

Itumeleng Leoaka, 24, Johannesburg

“I feel that Malema and the EFF cannot be trusted and do not deserve to lead. He is mostly disrespectful as he competes with the president of the country. He is immature. It’s impossible to achieve many of what the party promises unless you want to bring the country to its knees. Malema is only into politics so that he has a comfortable life. He is a liability. He has managed to hold Zuma to account but would also have to be closely watched if he were to be president.” DM

All photos by Bheki C Simelane