Supporters and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) converged at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Wesselton on Wednesday, 21 March to commemorate Human Rights Day.
Also watch: [VIDEO] EFF delivers human rights message at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Wesselton
National office bearers, including the leader, Mr Julius Malema, and the deputy president, Mr Floyd Shivambu, were in attendance.
The day began with prayers by various religious leaders.
Adv Dali Mpofu directed the programme.
The leader of the party in the province, Mr Collin Sedibe, welcomed the leadership and addressed various issues that the EFF is currently facing in the province.
The student branch, the EFF Student Command, also gave their input and the president, Mr Peter Keetse, addressed the more than 5 000 people.
Mr Keetse said he was aware of the dire situation at Lindile Secondary School in Wesselton.
“We will support you in whatever decision you take and will escalate the matter for the Lindile learners to receive equal and fair education like the rest of the privileged schools in town,” he said.
Mr Malema gave the keynote address and began with a joke that was aimed at Mr Shivambu over his altercation with a journalist that received widespread media attention recently.
He proceeded with his address, giving praise to the fallen victims of the Sharpeville massacre when a group of more than 10 000 people met at the Sharpeville Police Station and offered themselves up for arrest for not carrying their passbooks.
More than 69 people were killed, including women and children.
“We are still treated as sub-humans in this country and it is up to us to change the status quo,” he said.
Mr Malema went on to address the national political situation, saying the EFF is a government in waiting.
“We will hold all the corrupt accountable. We made Zuma pay back the money.”
He also addressed the land issue that Msukaligwa Municipality is currently facing.
Wesselton residents invaded municipal land in Ext 7 and Ward 3 and marked their stands by erecting signs.
The municipality deemed the invasion illegal and appealed to the public to stop their action.
Mr Malema touched on the controversial white farmers issue and was adamant that white farmers who want to emigrate to Australia, must do so.
“If they want to leave, they must go. However, they must leave the keys to their tractors and houses. They must leave with nothing, because they came to Africa with nothing.”
He was responding to Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Mr Peter Dutton, who recently vowed to welcome white South African farmers to Australia.
This was after the National Assembly in Parliament voted in favour of the motion to amend the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.
Mr Malema concluded by urging EFF supporters to register to vote at their nearest registration office, saying it is in the best interest of the party to exercise their right to vote to defeat the ruling party.
National and provincial elections will be held next year.
The celebration ended with the leaders singing party songs to the enjoyment of the crowd.
