Ndlozi’s end: Vuyani Pambo could be the new EFF spokesperson

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) could have a new spokesperson, in the form of former student activist, Vuyani Pambo.

EFF MP Naledi Chirwa tweeted the news on Thursday 6 February 2020, accompanied by a Pambo’s picture, but she later deleted the post, prompting speculation as to why.

It could be that the party wanted to make an official announcement on his appointment or has pulled back on the decision – whatever the case may be, a press release has not yet been issued.

Vuyani Pambo; a former ‘Fees Must Fall’ leader

Pambo, a former Wits University student, was at the forefront of the ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement which rocked institutions across the country and often turned violent. He was sworn in as an EFF MP in May 2019 and is one of the youngest faces in the National Assembly.

In March 2019, he accepted an award on behalf of the producers of television documentary Everything Must Fall at the South African Film and Television Awards, which were held in Sun City. In his speech, which went viral, Pambo paid tribute to fellow activist, Kanya Cekeshe, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in the demonstrations.

Cekeshe was paroled in December 2019, as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remission of sentences.

“I’m here to receive this for Khaya Cekeshe who’s in prison for asking for free, quality, decolonised education…”, he also mentioned other student activists, Katlego Monareng and Mlungisi Madonsela

The tv doccie profiled the ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement, which called for free tertiary education across the country.

If true, Pambo replaces Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, who himself was a student activist at Wits. Ndlozi is one of several key figures in the party who have been with it since in its inception in 2013.

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and his history with the EFF

Ndlozi was appointed the red berets’ spokesperson in 2013, replacing Floyd Shivambu, who would later become the party’s Deputy President. The fellow EFF MP’s controversies under the party are well documented.

In January 2020, Ndlozi and EFF Commander-in-Chief, Julius Malema, were each ordered by a court to pay R40,000 in damages to veteran journalists Anton Harber and Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki, after they accused them of being part of an apartheid-era propaganda body.

Ndlozi came under attack in November 2019, when he solely congratulated Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, after the national team won the Rugby World Cup.

“Congratulations to Siya Kolisi… the rest go get your congratulations from Prince Harry”, he tweeted.