Malema slams ‘pseudo-black unity’

Malema

Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema has sharply criticised what he terms “pseudo-black unity”, calling it a political survival tactic by opportunistic forces.

In an opinion piece published by IOL, Malema accused certain political leaders and organisations of exploiting the notion of black unity to mask their past failures and self-serving agendas.

Malema warned that these figures, who he claims were absent during pivotal moments in South Africa’s struggle for liberation, are now cloaking themselves in black consciousness rhetoric. He specifically highlighted their silence during events like the Marikana massacre and #FeesMustFall protests, as well as their rejection of land expropriation without compensation.

“Black unity is being hijacked by opportunistic political forces that parade themselves as champions of unity, not for liberation, but for self-preservation,” Malema wrote.

Malema’s remarks come a few weeks after former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma called for black political parties to unite under a single organisation to secure a two-thirds majority in future elections and reclaim the country.

Speaking at the MK Party’s one-year anniversary in Durban last month, Zuma urged black South Africans to set aside party differences and vote collectively to fight poverty and regain land.

“In the coming elections, as black people, let’s forget our different political parties and vote for a single party as blacks to get back our land.

“Let us work together with those in the smaller parties and agree to take our power back. Let’s stop hating and swearing at each other. We need to work hard now,” Zuma said.

Malema himself recently labelled the MK party as an “enemy”,

A Call for principled unity

In his opinion piece, the leader of the red berets reaffirmed the EFF’s commitment to black liberation and economic freedom, saying that true unity requires ideological conviction and principled leadership.

He underscored that the EFF’s alliances are grounded in shared revolutionary ideals rather than convenience or political survival.

“Black consciousness and unity are revolutionary principles rooted in justice, equity, and the liberation of oppressed people,” he said. “The EFF refuses to affiliate with those who use the language of black unity to shield themselves from accountability.”

Criticism of compromise

Malema accused proponents of so-called black unity of betraying South Africa’s liberation struggle by making compromises that benefited the elite while perpetuating structural inequalities.

He condemned their failure to dismantle apartheid-era systems, opting instead for alliances with white capital and landowners.

“The opportunists masquerading as unity advocates are nothing more than agents of betrayal, seeking to exploit our people’s struggle for their gain,” he stated.

Defending Biko’s legacy

Malema emphasised the EFF’s role as custodians of Steve Biko’s teachings, asserting that black consciousness must remain a revolutionary tool for liberation rather than a convenient shield for opportunism.

He called on South Africans to reject hollow calls for unity that serve the interests of political elites.

EFF’s revolutionary agenda

Celebrating over a decade of the EFF’s existence, Malema highlighted the party’s unwavering stance against white monopoly capital and systemic oppression. He reiterated the EFF’s mission to achieve economic emancipation, asserting that the party’s revolutionary ideals remain uncompromised.

“The EFF will never betray the revolution. We fight not for survival but for the genuine emancipation of our people,” Malema said.

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