Gathering in Sharpeville, Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), took a moment to reflect on the significant history of this area.
Sharpeville is not just any township—it’s a place steeped in the pain and sacrifice of our past.
Malema reminded his supporters that they weren’t here to celebrate a generic “Human Rights Day,” but to honor the courageous souls who fell during the Sharpeville Massacre on March 21, 1960, under the brutal apartheid regime.
“This is a day of remembrance, not a day for opportunists to hijack and falsely claim it represents their human rights,” Malema stated.
“We are here to celebrate those who fought and died for our freedom.
We must remember their struggle and their sacrifice, as it shapes our present and future.”
Malema’s Stand Against the Land Expropriation Act
Moving to more current matters, Malema made his stance on the Land Expropriation Act clear.
Despite the bill’s approval by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malema and the EFF are resolutely opposed to it in its current form.
According to Malema, the bill is far from being a tool for achieving land justice.
Instead, he described it as a “legislative scam” that fails to break from the past, merely aligning land expropriation laws with the 1996 constitution—an alignment that still prioritizes landowners over those who were dispossessed.
“Ramaphosa wants us to believe that signing this bill is a step forward for land justice, but it’s not,” Malema asserted.
“This is simply a way to make people think progress is being made, when in reality, it’s just maintaining the status quo.”
The EFF’s Position on Land Redistribution
Malema firmly stated that the EFF would not support the Land Expropriation Act unless it undergoes significant revisions.
The party believes that the bill, as it stands, is not enough to address the real needs of South Africans who were robbed of their land.
“We are not interested in hijacked buildings or derelict properties.
What we want is fertile land, land that has value for the people,” Malema emphasized.
The EFF leader argued that the focus should be on expropriating valuable resources like mines and productive farmlands, rather than targeting neglected properties.
According to Malema, the true aim should be to return land to those who can use it to build a better future, rather than simply legalizing what he sees as a flawed approach.
What’s Next?
As tensions rise over this crucial issue, the EFF continues to oppose the current version of the Land Expropriation Act.
They plan to keep pushing for changes in parliament and will not back down in their fight for meaningful land redistribution.