Julius Malema, the leader of the opposition in South Africa, has highlighted the need for African unity and claimed that the continent’s breakup into smaller countries was planned to benefit Western interests.
Addressing the “Arise Ghana Dialogue with Julius Malema” gathering in Accra, he called on African leaders and the populace to work together to build the continent to fend off outside threats.
Malema emphasized the importance of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, and his goal for a unified Africa, stressing the need for both political and economic independence.
He attacked the colonial borders that deprived Africa of its rights and emphasized the need for cooperation to address the continent’s present problems.
“We must achieve what Nkrumah saw. Even if we don’t achieve One Africa in our lifetime, we must lay a solid foundation for its achievement.
“One Africa is a threat to Europe and America. The political freedom of Africa is meaningless without its economic freedom,” Malema continued.
“Africa always follows the leadership of Ghana,” he declared, adding that South Africa must be the final destination for the unity of Africa.
An Africa with one president, one currency, one military command center, and one parliament was a threat to Western powers, Mr. Malema said.
“Imagine the currency of Africa against the US dollar. Ours will be based on the natural resources on the continent. On what will the currency of France be based?
“France cannot even produce anything for its survival. The whole soccer team of France is from Africa, which is why we all support France when they play football; we see the blackness of the team. That is how important we are to Europe and America and all those who support neocolonialists,”
Mr. Malema also demanded a new system in which South Africa would take the lead in achieving economic independence for the continent by regaining its resources and territory from white colonizers.
“South Africa will be the catalyst for African economic emancipation; we demand our lands back, no questions asked, and without making any concessions.
Anyone found in possession of stolen property in South Africa is a thief and should be apprehended and searched, as is the case with any other criminal.
“They may believe they have split us apart, but Africa will eventually unite,” he declared.
Additionally, Mr. Malema asserted that the continent of Africa owned the mineral resources, which included copper, iron ore, gold, and other metals.
The politician who defected from South Africa’s ruling Africa National Congress (ANC) party stated, “That is why when they came to Africa they did not steal our men, they stole the land.”
Mr. Malema warned African leaders against destroying democracy for their benefit, emphasizing how important it is to keep it intact. He pleaded with them to allow democracy to grow, stressing the price of it, since the forebears of the continent suffered under slavery, some of them dying in abject poverty.
He urged leaders to gracefully stand down when their terms were over and discouraged them from running for office again or using force to get longer mandates. Mr. Malema emphasized that being president shouldn’t be a lifetime role and urged leaders to mentor and help the next generation.
He emphasized that the presidency isn’t a traditional lifetime leadership position and declared that no African head of state should overstay.
