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By Faizel Patel

Senior Journalist


Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi joins EFF

Manyi says he will be a rank-and-file member of the Red Berets.


The Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has joined the Economic Freedom fighters (EFF).

Manyi has resigned from the African Transformation Movement (ATM). He shared the news on Twitter on Friday.  

EFF card-carrying member

Speaking to The Citizen, Manyi said the EFF is the right “home for him”.

“I must hasten to say that this is not a pronouncement on the ATM. The ATM continues to be a good solid organisation and is poised for growth. “

SA a ‘failed state’

Manyi said South Africa is fast deteriorating into a “failed state and requires “shock treatment.”

“The country is really headed for a failed state situation. You need an organisation that has got a sense of urgency like the EFF. So, I want to be part of making a contribution to that effort by the EFF to rid South Africa of colonialism, rampant corruption and this whole situation of joblessness because the country has got no leadership.

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“So, the EFF must provide that leadership to ensure that we bring South Africa back on the correct path,” Manyi said.

He said the “rampant corruption at all levels of government needs to be stopped dead on its tracks and decisive actions against perpetrators must be taken.”

Working with the EFF

Manyi added that whatever disagreements he has with the Red Berets, “is overwhelmingly overshadowed by what I agree with them on.”

“The top leadership of the EFF are reasonable people, some of whom that I’ve worked with over the years, long before the EFF was even conceived, so I know that we shall find common ground and move on in a united manner.

“I join the EFF as a rank-and-file member and will make my contribution in that capacity. I am coming from the bottom, so we will see where that takes me,” Manyi said.

Jacob Zuma Foundation

Manyi said joining the EFF will not affect his work with the Jacob Zuma Foundation.

“The foundation is politically neutral [and] I never pronounce president Zuma’s ANC issues, so there continues not to be any conflict because the foundation would also help EFF members to become bursary holders or anything. It doesn’t discriminate,” Manyi said.

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