Voters across South Africa hold an overwhelmingly negative view of Julius Malema, with a Social Research Foundation (SRF) poll showing the EFF leader is now deeply unpopular outside his regional base.

According to the poll, just over 20% of South Africans have a positive impression of Mr Malema, while almost 60% view him unfavourably. In his home province of Limpopo, Mr Malema remains a polarising figure, 40% of respondents there view him positively, but in KwaZulu-Natal, a striking 75% of voters see him in a negative light.

This weak standing in public opinion comes as the EFF’s support has sharply contracted in recent polling. Analysts say Malema’s national relevance has slipped following his failure to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) and that by not joining the GNU, Malema not only lost out on influence but also blocked any chance to stage a reverse takeover of the ANC.