EFF leader Julius Malema used the party’s June 16 Rally at the Union Buildings on Tuesday to call for unity and solidarity among Africans across the continent.
Addressing thousands of supporters and party members, Malema said South Africans cannot promote peace at home while holding hostility toward other Africans.
“South Africans cannot preach the message of peace and unity in the country but hate their African brothers and sisters from the continent,” Malema said. “He further adds that Africans should never be divided.”
The EFF leader urged continental peace, listing conflict-affected countries as examples.
“Love each other amongst ourselves. Let us fight for peace in Africa. Let Africa one day know peace like Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), know peace like Somalia, know peace everywhere else in Africa must be about peace. Ethiopia, we need peace in DRC, we need peace. We cannot say peace in South Africa and not say peace to all Africans. We cannot say we love South Africans and hate Africans,” Malema said.
The remarks come amid ongoing national debate in South Africa around migration, xenophobia, and regional integration. June 16, Youth Day, is commemorated annually to honour the 1976 Soweto Uprising and is often used by political parties to address youth and social issues.
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