Malema’s missed vision: A Black AfriForum led by John Hlophe

Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema has revealed that he initially intended to start a civil organisation akin to AfriForum to champion the causes of black South Africans, with former Judge President John Hlophe serving as its premier legal mind.

Speaking in the party’s first podcast of the year, Malema admitted he never believed Hlophe was suited for the world of formal politics. Instead, he envisioned the former judge challenging high-profile cases brought forward by organisations such as Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation.

After Hlophe became one of the first two judges to be impeached by Parliament in the democratic era in 2024, Malema visited him at his Paarl farm. During this meeting, the EFF leader expressed his disagreement with Hlophe being stripped of his judicial role.

According to Malema, Hlophe expected a recruitment pitch for the EFF. However, Malema had a different strategic path in mind:

"I want to plead with you to stay and fight your case and then we are going to form an AfriForum-type of organisation but for black people. Its responsibility would be to mark AfriForum."

Malema stated he was prepared to place Hlophe on the EFF’s payroll while the organisation was being established. His goal was for Hlophe to occupy a role similar to that of advocate Gerrie Nel within the AfriForum structure—a formidable legal figurehead for civil rights.

However, the plan never came to fruition as the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party recruited Hlophe before the EFF could finalise the project.

"I wanted him to be a Gerrie Nel of some sort. But I think he had pressures of resources and decided to join politics and decided to join a wrong party," Malema said.

Hlophe currently finds himself in the "political wilderness" after being suspended as the parliamentary leader of the MK Party last November. Malema concluded by expressing scepticism regarding Hlophe's current political home, suggesting that the MK Party does not truly value highly educated members.