Racism has no place in a democratic South Africa – Julius Malema

The leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema has blasted racism, saying it has no place in a democratic South Africa.

Malema made the remark during a virtual address of his party's seven-year birthday celebration on Sunday..

He stated that since its inception, the EFF has inspired its members to have dignity and defend themselves from injustices such as racial discrimination.

Malema said the challenges such as economic dispossession faced by many South Africans are a result of the country's history.

“Black people continue to live in apartheid reserves, in shacks on top of one another, while people live in a different country of privilege and dignity. There is a general degeneration in South Africa, and the EFF is alive today to correct that historical mistake.”

He criticized the governing African National Congress (ANC) for not having sufficient resources to deal with emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The former liberation movement has not built hospitals that can cater for the general population. The schools of South Africa still operate on the logic of separate development, with schools of white areas having adequate infrastructure, while children of black people drown in pit toilets.”

Malema who is a member of South Africa’s country delegation to the Pan African Parliament, noted that although the EFF is turning 7 on Sunday, there will be no jubilant celebrations.

The EFF leader says the day must be used to reflect on the magnitude of devastation caused by the coronavirus and then called on it’s members to wear black to mourn those who died.

South Africa has over 430,000 confirmed cases and over 6,600 deaths.

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