No one was prepared for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s closing remarks and theatrics at the party’s 10th-anniversary celebrations held at FNB stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Malema took a swipe at the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) for failing to deliver basic services and assured his thousands of followers of ‘freedom’ and victory in the 2024 elections. EFF also becomes the first political party to fill up the FNB stadium.
On Saturday, Malema spoke to a large crowd of followers at the EFF’s anniversary event in FNB Stadium, Soweto. He once again paid tribute to the victims of the Marikana tragedy in 2012, where 34 miners lost their lives during a spontaneous strike.
The party was formed in response to the violent confrontation between Lonmin workers and law enforcement officers. During the EFF’s celebration, Malema criticized the inadequacies of the government led by the ANC.
“They have made us fools. They gave us stage 6 and stage 8. We were living in darkness. The jobs were threatened. The quality of life is undermined. That’s mediocrity. We don’t want load shedding in South Africa.”
Throngs of supporters cheered on as Malema sold the EFF as an alternative in the buildup to the 2024 general elections.
“When we take over all informal settlements, we’ll give them water, electricity, we’ll build proper houses for our people all over Gauteng, all over South Africa.”
At the FNB stadium in Soweto, during his party’s 10th anniversary celebration, Malema confidently declared that the party has exceeded all expectations and silenced any doubters.
With a staggering membership count of over 1 million, the party has now secured its place as the third largest in the country. Malema also took the opportunity to acknowledge and give credit to Fidel Castro, the Cuban people, and the mineworkers at Marikana for their invaluable contributions towards inspiring and propelling the growth of the EFF.
Source HarareLive
