Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu ended their three-day Eastern Cape campaign trail in Gqeberha, where they were met by youth carrying placards with various issues hoping to get the attention of the party’s leadership.

Hundreds of young people, high school and tertiary students from all corners of Nelson Mandela Bay gathered at the Njoli Square in Kwazakhele Township.

The EFF has been known for its radical approach on issues affecting ordinary South Africans, and has on many occasions been called upon to protest against injustices.

Alizwa Mafana, a student at the Port Elizabeth TVET College, said they were hopeful that by coming to the community meeting the party’s leadership would take notice of their placards.

“We are here because we know we can trust the EFF and their radical approach to assist us with our issues, and with the CIC [commander in chief Julius Malema] here our issues can be escalated quicker,” Mafana said.

The Eastern Cape, particularly Nelson Mandela Bay, is plagued by a myriad of issues, which Julius Malema touched on, rendering huge applause from youth who believe that the EFF can solve their problems.

With the latest statistics revealing a troubling increase in joblessness, Malema focused his speech on job creation.

He said to address the issue of unemployment in the Eastern Cape, the EFF would reopen the factory industries and introduce a more inclusive tourism sector in Nelson Mandela Bay.

He said it was also important for young people to be skilled in the ocean economy and agriculture.

“You have a duty to make sure that when we take over, we teach our children relevant skills. They must know agriculture; this thing of closing agriculture colleges is nonsense.

“We want the land back and we can’t take the land back if we don’t have the skills or even the theory of how we are going to work the land. We must empower as many young people as possible in agriculture,” Malema said.

Speaking to the controversial issue of land, Malema said he does not mean that white people will be chased out of the country and stripped of their land.

“I’m saying it is unfair that one family must own 20,000 hectares of land and only use 1,000 hectares of it, when there are people who can work the land and contribute to the economy. The other 19,000 hectares must go to the people – that’s what I’m saying.” Malema said.

Addressing the issue of crime in Nelson Mandela Bay and the rest of the country, Malema said South Africa was a country at war with itself. He said even schools have become war zones.

Pictured above: EFF national and provincial leadership singing on stage during a community meeting in Kwazakhele township, Gqeberha.

Image source: Anita Dangazele