Re-elected Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema delivers his closing address at 3rd National People's Assembly at the Nasrec Expo Centre.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The 3rd National People’s Assembly marked a pivotal moment for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), offering an opportunity to reflect on the state of our movement amid the growing trend of pseudo-black unity in our country. In this critical juncture of our struggle, we are compelled to interrogate what defines true black progressive forces and the implications of this unity on our society.
Black unity has always been an integral part of the liberation struggle in South Africa. Yet today, it is being hijacked by opportunistic political forces that parade themselves as champions of unity, not for liberation, but for self-preservation. The EFF rejects this deceitful narrative and will defend itself and its constituency against such manipulative attempts to undermine our revolutionary agenda.
Black Consciousness and unity are not mere slogans to be used for convenience. They are revolutionary principles rooted in justice, equity, and the liberation of oppressed people. True unity therefore demands ideological conviction, principled leadership, and unwavering commitment to dismantling structural inequalities.
The EFF has consistently upheld these values, advancing black liberation and economic freedom when it was neither easy nor popular. We have championed the causes of workers, students, and the dispossessed, confronting systemic oppression in Parliament, communities, and the streets. In contrast, today’s so-called black unity advocates were silent during the Marikana massacre, absent during the #FeesMustFall protests, and complicit in rejecting land expropriation without compensation. These critical moments of our history exposed their silence, their complicity, and their true allegiances to power and privilege over the people.
This newfound embrace of black unity is nothing more than a political survival tactic by those facing irrelevance. These individuals and their political parties, who now cloak themselves in the rhetoric of black consciousness, have betrayed our people time and again. Whether as state presidents, CEOs, or director-generals, they undermined our struggle.
Their betrayal is clear. When the EFF used its parliamentary strength to push for land expropriation without compensation, these forces rejected this revolutionary step, choosing instead to protect their alliances with white capital and landowners. When they had the power to dismantle apartheid-era systems, they opted for compromises that enriched a few at the expense of the many.
Black consciousness, as taught by Steve Biko, is a revolutionary conviction—not a tool for redemption by those seeking to rewrite their legacy of compromise and betrayal. The opportunists masquerading as unity advocates are nothing more than agents of betrayal, seeking to exploit our people’s struggle for their gain.
Unlike these opportunists, the EFF remains unwavering in its revolutionary principles. We will never betray the revolution for political or personal gain. Our loyalty lies not with individuals or factions, but with the people of South Africa and the ideals of economic emancipation.
We will only align ourselves with those who understand the struggle for economic freedom and are committed to the collective liberation of black people. Our alliances are not built on convenience or survival but on shared ideological convictions and a commitment to dismantling the structures of oppression.
True black unity cannot exist without a commitment to economic justice. It is not enough to unite in name or appearance; unity must be rooted in action, in the collective struggle for land, education, jobs, and dignity. The EFF refuses to affiliate with those who use the language of black unity to shield themselves from accountability or advance their personal agendas.
The EFF does not subscribe to a hollow unity based on skin colour. Ours is a unity grounded in ideology, principle, and action—a unity that seeks to dismantle systemic inequalities and deliver true liberation. We will not allow criminals, revisionists, or opportunists to hijack black unity for personal or political survival.
As custodians of Biko’s legacy, we have a revolutionary duty to protect his teachings from exploitation. Biko stood for integrity, truth, and genuine commitment to liberation—not self-preservation masquerading as unity. The EFF carries forward this revolutionary responsibility, ensuring that black unity remains a tool for liberation, not deception.
South Africa is at a crossroads. The opportunistic misuse of black unity risks delegitimising the left and paving the way for right-wing forces to entrench their dominance over our people. The EFF will not allow this betrayal of our struggle to succeed. We will expose the revisionists and defend the revolutionary integrity of our movement.
Black unity must be about the collective struggle for freedom, not the survival of political careers. Those who have failed our people cannot now claim to lead them. Unity cannot be forged with individuals who prioritise their self-preservation over the liberation of the oppressed.
For over a decade, the EFF has proved its commitment to black liberation and economic freedom. We have never wavered in confronting white monopoly capital, corrupt systems, and the opportunists who stand in the way of progress. Unlike others, we do not rely on empty rhetoric or symbolic gestures. We fight for systemic change and the advancement of all black people—not for the survival of individuals or factions.
Our flag and logo strike fear into the hearts of the white capitalist establishment because we have earned that fear. Unlike others, we do not fight for survival; we fight to advance the cause of liberation for the benefit of our people.
The EFF remains the true home of black unity and black consciousness. We are committed to forging alliances based on shared ideological convictions, not convenience. Our vision for the future is rooted in honesty, integrity, and the principles of economic freedom.
As we confront the opportunists and revisionists, we reaffirm our revolutionary commitment to liberation. We will continue to expose those who exploit black unity for personal gain, rebuild our movement, and advance the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime.
The EFF stands ready to defend the revolution against all forces of opportunism. We call on our people to remain vigilant and critical, to reject hollow calls for unity that serve only the interests of the elite, and to join us in building a movement that embodies the true spirit of liberation.
Our mission is clear. We must combat liberalism, revisionism, and opportunism in all their forms. We must resist the rewriting of history and defend the integrity of our ideology. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to black consciousness, economic emancipation, and the revolutionary ideals that guide us.
The EFF will never betray the revolution. We will defend it with fierce determination and integrity, ensuring that the cause of black liberation remains pure, uncompromised, and focused on the genuine emancipation of our people. We move forward not for ourselves, but for the millions who look to us as the last hope for true freedom. The struggle continues. And the EFF remains its unwavering vanguard.
* Julius Malema is the President and CIC of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.