Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s Ndlozi
By Thabo Mosia
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has lambasted TimesLIVE for an article labelling EFF leader Julius Malema as the “Loser of the Year.” Ndlozi has called out the media for biased reporting, stating that the African National Congress (ANC), with its significant electoral losses in 2024, is the true loser. This criticism comes amid ongoing media scrutiny of Malema and the EFF, raising questions about journalistic ethics and fairness in South Africa’s political reporting.
Media Bias: A Growing Concern
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, responding to a TimesLIVE article on 21 December 2024, labelled the publication’s analysis as “despicable,” accusing it of being “petty, personal, and decidedly biased.” He highlighted the ANC’s sharp decline in the 2024 elections, pointing out that the party lost control of three provinces and suffered a 17-point drop in voter support.
“This is the historic loss an honest journalistic paper will record. But no, you choose to be petty, personal & decidedly biased. Journalism should do better for public discourse and engagement,” Ndlozi declared on social media.
TimesLIVE’s Article on Julius Malema
The TimesLIVE article, titled “Loser of the Year: Malema’s Annus Horribilis,” outlined six alleged setbacks faced by Julius Malema in 2024. These included:
• Declining electoral support in the general elections.
• Internal party disputes, including the departure of key allies like Floyd Shivambu.
• Alleged weakening of the EFF’s influence in key provinces.
• Personal controversies that reportedly strained Malema’s political capital.
The article suggested that 2024 was one of the most challenging years in Malema’s political career.
Media Attacks on Malema and the EFF
The TimesLIVE article is not the first instance of media scrutiny targeting Julius Malema and the EFF. Just days earlier, on 18 December 2024, The Citizen was forced to issue an unreserved apology to Malema for publishing an unverified story about his personal life.
The article, titled “Julius Malema Sparks Divorce Speculation After Removing Wife’s Pictures from Instagram,” speculated on marital issues between Malema and his wife, Mantwa Matlala. The claims were based solely on social media reactions and an unverified Instagram account purportedly belonging to Malema.
Upon realising their error, The Citizen retracted the story and issued an apology, acknowledging that the publication failed to verify the Instagram account or seek Malema’s comment.
This incident raised broader concerns about journalistic ethics, with commentators criticising the media’s tendency to prioritise sensationalism over factual reporting.
Ndlozi’s Response Resonates with Supporters
Dr Ndlozi’s criticism of TimesLIVE has sparked widespread support among EFF members and the public. Political commentator Phakama Hlubi remarked:
“I agree with Dr Ndlozi here. They have completely ignored the glaring and very dramatic electoral loss of the ANC under Ramaphosa. This is why media houses get accused of being biased, and it is the reason they are losing credibility with the public.”
EFF leader Julius Malema has also addressed the media’s portrayal of his leadership, stating during a press briefing on 14 December 2024: “We are not having internal issues. There is no issue happening in South Africa which can destabilise the organisation.”
The ANC’s 2024 Electoral Decline
Ndlozi’s assertion that the ANC is the real “loser of the year” is supported by the party’s poor performance in the 2024 elections. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, the ANC lost control of three provinces and experienced a 17-point drop in voter support, marking one of its worst electoral showings in history.
While the ANC continues to face internal divisions and declining public trust, the media has largely focused on the challenges within the EFF, a dynamic that Ndlozi and other commentators have described as biased.
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