Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South Africa, has recently shifted his focus from domestic politics to Zimbabwe, urging the youth there to rise up against their government. In a post on his X account dated August 5, 2024, Malema called on Zimbabwean youths to liberate themselves and not rely on external figures, including himself, to bring about change.
Malema should be reminded that Zimbabwe is a peaceful nation where people consistently prioritize harmony. It is unjustifiable for an opposition leader from another country to incite violence in Zimbabwe, especially when he has failed to achieve similar results in his native South Africa. Since his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC) in 2013, Malema has led the EFF in an effort to challenge ANC dominance, yet he has been unable to unseat the ruling party. If Malema believes that violence can effectively remove ruling parties from power, it is hypocritical of him to advocate for such tactics only in Zimbabwe and not in South Africa.
Zimbabwean youths should recognize that violence is counterproductive and reject Malema’s proposal with the disdain it deserves. Instead, ambitious youths should pursue political involvement through peaceful means rather than resorting to violent initiatives. As a democratic nation, Zimbabwe holds regular elections every five years, providing a peaceful avenue for leadership change. Malema should advise youths to participate in this electoral process rather than encouraging violent uprisings against the government.
