PRETORIA, Gauteng – As South Africa prepares to mark half a century since the historic 1976 Soweto Uprising, Julius Malema is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the EFF Youth Day commemoration. The event, taking place at the iconic Union Buildings, will focus heavily on the severe youth unemployment crisis and the ongoing struggle for economic freedom.
The national holiday honors the students who marched against apartheid education, but this year holds special significance as it marks exactly 50 years since those pivotal protests. While the gathering pays tribute to past sacrifices, it also serves as a stark reminder of the socio-economic hurdles modern young South Africans face, including deep-rooted inequality and a lack of viable career pathways.
Speaking ahead of the main proceedings, EFF national spokesperson Thembi Msane provided a grim assessment of the current economic landscape. He highlighted that youth unemployment has skyrocketed to over 60%. Msane explained that even when young people manage to secure diplomas, they are met with a stagnant job market lacking the industries necessary to absorb them. Compounding this issue is the crippling weight of student debt, which prevents graduates from participating in the economy or securing the funding needed to start their own ventures.
Addressing the widespread apathy toward formal politics ahead of the local government elections, Msane argued that the current administration lacks viable solutions for these pressing issues. He asserted that the sacrifices made by the class of 1976 would have been entirely in vain had the EFF not been established to continue the fight. When discussing the sharp decline in youth voter registration, the spokesperson revealed that the party had directly questioned the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) about the issue. According to Msane, the IEC was unable to identify the root cause of the problem, leaving the EFF to independently drive voter education campaigns targeting high schoolers, university students, and unemployed youth living in townships.
To combat this political disconnect, the party has deployed its Youth Command elections task force. This dedicated structure is actively mobilizing young voters, encouraging registration, and pushing for a high turnout on election day. Msane emphasized that the party has intentionally integrated young leaders into various structures ranging from parliamentary committees to provincial and local branches. This ensures that the daily grievances of the younger generation are directly tabled in the highest legislative arenas.
Countering the frequent criticism that political organizations only court young voters during campaign seasons, Msane defended the EFF’s continuous grassroots engagement. He noted that the party’s current momentum is not a sudden election-year phenomenon but a continuation of efforts that began in 2019, when young, vibrant members were brought into parliament outside of election terms. He pointed to long-standing initiatives, such as the aggressive campaign against student debt launched prior to the current election cycle, and programs that have taken young people to pilot school. Msane concluded that advocating for the youth is fundamentally woven into the party’s DNA, proving that their commitment extends far beyond the ballot box.
The day’s official program is slated to kick off at 10:00 AM, leading up to the highly anticipated midday address by the party’s president.