Stop begging start building Malema rallies Africa

South African opposition leader Julius Malema says Africa must work together to industrialise and grow its economy instead of relying on foreign loans.
Speaking on Sunday at the Nigeria Bar Association Annual General Conference in Enugu, the Economic Freedom Fighters president argued that Nigeria and South Africa have the capacity to lead the continents industrialisation, starting with joint investments in power and value addition to African resources.

“Combined, we have the minerals that power modern technology, the energy resources that fuel global industry, and the human capital to build a self-sufficient continent,” he said, urging both countries to build factories together and process resources on African soil. He added that Africas progress will not come from Washington London Brussels or Beijing, but from Lagos Johannesburg Abuja and Pretoria.

Warning that unchecked foreign borrowing is a debt trap, Malema urged tighter controls on external loans. He cited the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill introduced by the EFF in South Africa, which would require National Treasury to obtain parliamentary approval before sourcing foreign loans and to disclose the terms and conditions.

Malema also praised Nigerias historic support for South Africas freedom struggle, calling the country a giant of justice in Africa.

Malema in brief
Known for his outspoken style, Malema has drawn controversy for chants associated with the anti apartheid struggle. He has rejected criticism from United States President Donald Trump, denied claims of white genocide in South Africa, and insisted that foreign leaders cannot dictate to his country. A former leader of the ANC Youth League, he was expelled in 2012 and founded the EFF in 2013. He remains a vocal advocate of land expropriation to address historic land ownership imbalances and continues to call for deeper African unity to match the economic weight of the United States and the European Union.