By: Zilungile Mkhize
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has criticised the recently launched national convention, calling it a wasteful exercise that failed to address the country’s real challenges.
Speaking in Seshego, Limpopo, during a rally celebrating the party’s by-election victory in Ward 13, Malema dismissed the dialogue as disorganised and self-serving.
“The convention was not about fixing South Africa. It was about massaging the egos of a few individuals who want to remain relevant,” Malema said.
The national convention, billed as the start of a broader national dialogue to address key issues facing the country, has drawn criticism from several quarters, including legacy foundations and civil society organisations. Malema pointed to the withdrawal of prominent foundations and warnings from NGOs about poor planning and lack of clear objectives as signs that the event should never have gone ahead.
“Even the legacy foundations that were supposed to support this dialogue pulled out. That tells you everything you need to know,” he added.
Malema’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness of national dialogues in addressing structural issues such as inequality, unemployment, and political accountability.
While the Presidency has defended the dialogue as an important platform for inclusive nation-building, opposition parties like the EFF have argued that without clear outcomes or grassroots engagement, such efforts risk becoming hollow exercises.
