/ 15 October 2013

EFF: White people must learn to share

Phillip de Wet was outside the courtroom where EFF head Julius Malema's trial was postponed. He explains what's next for the firebrand leader.
Phillip de Wet was outside the courtroom where EFF head Julius Malema's trial was postponed. He explains what's next for the firebrand leader.

Former ANC Youth League president and EFF leader Julius Malema told students at the Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark on Tuesday that the EFF is not racist.

"We are not a racist organisation, we are an honest organisation," said Malema. "If white people want a permanent holiday they must return the stolen property."

Malema was referring to reports that some Economic Freedom Fighters members displayed placards that carried racist messages at its launch in Marikana at the weekend.

According to Gauteng EFF spokesperson Patrick Sindane messages read "Honeymoon is over for white people in South Africa" and "To be a revolutionary you have to be inspired by hatred and bloodshed".

He said the party was disappointed in those members.

No reconciliation
​Malema, dressed in a yellow shirt and dark sunglasses, stood on the back of a bakkie in the parking lot of the VUT's main residence on Tuesday and addressed students dressed in red T-shirts and red berets.

Some shielded themselves from the sun with umbrellas while others sat under trees.

Malema said there would never be reconciliation in the country as long as whites had the land.

"These people, the black masses are hurting … The more you become more rejecting to the idea of sharing the land you will have an unled revolution, and that is anarchy. We don't need anarchy. Let us talk about a genuine reconciliation," Malema said.

"The future is going to be very bright if you decide to share with us."

Just before Malema arrived at the gathering, students sang songs ridiculing President Jacob Zuma and made gestures mocking the way he pushes his glasses up his nose. – Sapa