Shortly after Carl Niehaus announced his intention to form a new political party, he received a call from Julius Malema.
“I like your thoughts, warrior boy. Let’s meet and talk turkey. I will book a place at the Royal Hotel in Pilgrim Rest.
It was not the season, so the town and the hotel were quiet and the gentlemen arrived at the hotel unnoticed. Given a different background, the manager, with the intention of joking, serves a bowl of Liquorice Allsorts instead of the usual peanuts and biltong.
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Being the first official face-to-face meeting between two poles apart in appearance, hue and academic achievement, the atmosphere was tense. Until the first few sips of liquid refreshment Castle Lager and Koffiehuis.
“Congratulations!” said the Juju tippler. “Boeretroos!” replied Carl.
“Tell Juju, what is your interest in my plan? I mean, EFF is a successful brand, why bother with a little kid who hasn’t tried it yet?
“Reading between the lines, I suspect you want to see the end of Ramaphosa’s presidency?”
“Ah, now I understand. Pooling resources could reduce the ANC’s majority, eventually forcing Cyril to throw in the towel.
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“Now you are cooking. If the voters witness the successful relationship between you, the white man – and the Afrikaner – and me, the black man, who is suspected of hating the white man, they might change their minds about us.
“Sounds good, but you and I can’t be friends. You have a pending court case. You keep singing about killing boers.”
“Wait now. You yourself are not lily white. I will not let my parents play dead for an insurance claim. So let’s not go down that road. Let’s spend the next few months strategizing and making plans to reap the benefits.
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“Good idea, Ju. But if you and I seem to get along, we’re wasting our time.
Juju nodded strongly. They slurp the last of their drinks, give each other an arm and leave the hotel. A disappointed manager had hoped for a long session in the pub after the negotiations. He had heard about Juju staying and paying for the power at the party.
“Crazy enough, they won’t get my vote.”