Musician and former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) Ringo Madlingozi has quit politics. The award-winning artist, who was sworn in as an EFF in 2019, shared his future move on a social media post.
Ringo said in a message on X – formerly known as Twitter – that while he was leaving politics he would remain a member of the Red Berets. He added, “My purpose to heal through my music will remain”.
I’m no longer active in politics. I will always love my brothers and sisters. My purpose to heal through my music will remain. I will die a fighter.
— Ringo Madlingozi (@ndiyagodola) July 13, 2024
When Ringo, 60, left the ANC, he told POWER Week that he joined the EFF because of their bravery and that it spoke a language he wanted to hear.
Ringo then decided to join the Young Revolutionary Party, the Emancipation Movement, The Brave Young People of South Africa. #VoteEFF #EFFManCrushMonday pic.twitter.com/kS6pQUIzYW
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 18, 2019
Rumours of his leaving the EFF started to swirl in 2023. However, he was quick to quell them. He criticised a blog for these allegations.
He said: “Your journalism is fraud. You lie to hide behind ur ‘reliable sources’. Ur wishes can never be mine. What u must write is the re-emergence of my catalogue on all Digital Platforms for the first time on the 15th of Sept 2023. I’m @EFFSouthAfrica thru & thru. Ur Juno’s are liars.”
Ringo’s decision this weekend comes as the party leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu have been embroiled in headlines concerning the VBS Bank scandal. The EFF and its leaders have been accused of benefitting from the collapsed bank.
On Wednesday, the former VBS chair Tshifhiwa Matodzi was sentenced to 495 years after pleading guilty to 33 counts of corruption, theft, fraud, money laundering, and a pattern of racketeering activities, the Daily Maverick reported.
Words: Fame Frenzy
