Zuma heads to Limpopo to stand with Malema family after loss

In a moment that cuts through South Africa’s often sharp political divides, Jacob Zuma is expected to visit the family home of Julius Malema in Limpopo on Friday, not for politics, but for something far more personal: grief.

The visit comes after the passing of Malema’s aunt, Mme Martha Motlanalo Malema, who died earlier this week in Polokwane.

Zuma, now leading the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, will be joined by party officials and members of his presidential task team, marking a quiet but significant show of support.

More than politics: a shared moment of mourning

In South African culture, showing up matters especially in times of loss. Funerals and family visits often bring together people from all walks of life, setting aside differences, even if only briefly.

Zuma’s visit reflects that tradition. Despite years of political tension between him and Malema, the gesture signals respect that goes beyond party lines something many South Africans have noted on social media, with some calling it “Ubuntu in action.”

Remembering a pillar in the community

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described Mme Martha Motlanalo Malema as more than just a family elder. She was, they said, a woman deeply rooted in both her community and the party’s growth.

According to the EFF, she had been a loyal member since the party’s formation in 2013 and played a meaningful role in building its presence in Ward 13 in Seshego an area that today falls under EFF leadership.

But beyond politics, she was remembered for her warmth and generosity the kind of person who quietly shapes communities without ever seeking the spotlight.

Another loss felt across the nation

As condolences continue to pour in for the Malema family, South Africa is also mourning the passing of a figure whose impact stretched far beyond its borders.

President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Nicholas “Fink” Haysom, a respected human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist who died in New York at the age of 73.

Haysom worked closely with Nelson Mandela as a legal advisor and later took on major roles within the United Nations, contributing to peace processes in countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Iraq.

Ramaphosa described him as a “pioneer of our democratic administration” whose work advanced justice and peace globally a fitting tribute during Human Rights Month.

A country pausing, however briefly

It’s not often that South Africa’s political headlines carry a softer tone. But moments like these a condolence visit, a shared tribute offer a glimpse into the human side of public figures.

As Zuma makes his way to Limpopo, the focus shifts, even if just for a day, from rallies and rhetoric to something more familiar: community, loss, and the quiet dignity of showing up when it matters most.

{Source: The Citizen}

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