Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema yesterday likened their actions in parliament to anti-apartheid activists who were once labelled as terrorists, saying South Africans would thank them for it later.
Malema was addressing about 200 villagers at the Qamata Great Place when he visited Western Thembuland’s King Siyambonga Matanzima, as he criss-crosses the country campaigning for the August 3 municipal elections.
Predictably, the opposition party commander-in-chief laid into President Jacob Zuma, saying if citizens did not vote him and the governing ANC out, he would further run the country into the ground.
Driving his point home, Malema told the villagers that under Zuma’s administration, the country’s economy had gone from being ranked number one to three in Africa.
He said Nigeria and Egypt’s economies were now ranked number one and two despite allegedly being corrupt and experiencing violent service delivery protests.
“We want to restore South Africa to its former glory,” he said.
“At the rate that Zuma is destroying the country, future South Africans will be forced to leave the country and look for jobs in neighbouring countries like Somali nationals have done,” he said.
“Rise up and defend the constitution. Rise up and fight.
“You are lucky because you are from where Chris Hani came from.
“Hani was not a coward. Let’s protect our future.”
He said their parliamentary action was necessary.
“What we are doing now in parliament might look rough now but later you will say ‘thank you EFF’.
“Just like you used to call those people who fought for freedom terrorists, today they are your heroes and heroines.”
His visit to the Eastern Cape comes after EFF MPs were forcibly removed from parliament when they did not want Zuma to answer oral questions.
Yesterday was his first day in the province.
Today he will meet kings and traditional leaders in Mthatha before visiting a local school and addressing residents at the Khaya Majola Stadium.
Flanked by his deputy Floyd Shivambu and party spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Malema first met with Matanzima and traditional leaders behind closed doors.
Matanzima told the Daily Dispatch he gave Malema the platform because he had asked, and not because he supported his party.
At the meeting, Malema told the king and other royals that should his party be voted into power, it would treat all kings the same, Matanzima said.
“I will open the doors to any other party that will want to come here before the elections.
“What people do or who they vote for is up to them,” the king said.
Malema called on the villagers to “vote out corrupt politicians” on August 3.
“Stop being complainants and join the struggle.
“August 3 is your chance to clean this mess we are in now,” he charged.
He later addressed more than 1000 party supporters outside the Komani Indoor Sports Centre at the Mlungisi township.
Addressing the fighters, Malema drummed up support for the party, saying the area was the EFF’s home.
He promised to raise the residents’ plight who complained about poor service delivery in parliament. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
EFF the new heroes, Malema tells EC people
Malema was addressing about 200 villagers at the Qamata Great Place when he visited Western Thembuland’s King Siyambonga Matanzima, as he criss-crosses the country campaigning for the August 3 municipal elections.
Predictably, the opposition party commander-in-chief laid into President Jacob Zuma, saying if citizens did not vote him and the governing ANC out, he would further run the country into the ground.
Driving his point home, Malema told the villagers that under Zuma’s administration, the country’s economy had gone from being ranked number one to three in Africa.
He said Nigeria and Egypt’s economies were now ranked number one and two despite allegedly being corrupt and experiencing violent service delivery protests.
“We want to restore South Africa to its former glory,” he said.
“At the rate that Zuma is destroying the country, future South Africans will be forced to leave the country and look for jobs in neighbouring countries like Somali nationals have done,” he said.
“Rise up and defend the constitution. Rise up and fight.
“You are lucky because you are from where Chris Hani came from.
“Hani was not a coward. Let’s protect our future.”
He said their parliamentary action was necessary.
“What we are doing now in parliament might look rough now but later you will say ‘thank you EFF’.
“Just like you used to call those people who fought for freedom terrorists, today they are your heroes and heroines.”
His visit to the Eastern Cape comes after EFF MPs were forcibly removed from parliament when they did not want Zuma to answer oral questions.
Yesterday was his first day in the province.
Today he will meet kings and traditional leaders in Mthatha before visiting a local school and addressing residents at the Khaya Majola Stadium.
Flanked by his deputy Floyd Shivambu and party spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Malema first met with Matanzima and traditional leaders behind closed doors.
Matanzima told the Daily Dispatch he gave Malema the platform because he had asked, and not because he supported his party.
At the meeting, Malema told the king and other royals that should his party be voted into power, it would treat all kings the same, Matanzima said.
“I will open the doors to any other party that will want to come here before the elections.
“What people do or who they vote for is up to them,” the king said.
Malema called on the villagers to “vote out corrupt politicians” on August 3.
“Stop being complainants and join the struggle.
“August 3 is your chance to clean this mess we are in now,” he charged.
He later addressed more than 1000 party supporters outside the Komani Indoor Sports Centre at the Mlungisi township.
Addressing the fighters, Malema drummed up support for the party, saying the area was the EFF’s home.
He promised to raise the residents’ plight who complained about poor service delivery in parliament. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
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