Johnathan Paoli
In his keynote address, EFF leader Julius Malema, reminded supporters of the party’s decision to display the Cuban flag and the significance and importance of the date the party was founded and its fight against imperialism.
The EFF was founded on the 27 July 2013, in Soweto and Malema drew parallels with Cuba’s 27th July celebrations in ‘Commemoration of the Assault on Moncada’ when on the same day in 1953, former Cuban President Fidel Castro stormed the Moncada Army Garrison in Santiago de Cuba.
Malema delved into history and said In many ways, the day marked the beginning of Castro’s campaign against the dictator Fulgencio Batista, who had led a military coup in Cuba in March 1952 installing himself as president.
Batista was supported financially and militarily by the United States government and moved to suspend the 1940 Constitution, revoking most political liberties, including the right to strike.
Despite the failure of the attack on the Moncada Barracks, it is seen as the catalyst for the Castro-led insurrection that eventually expelled Batista, with the date of the attack being adopted by Castro as the name for his revolutionary movement.
Since its formation, the EFF has never shied away from expressing its admiration for the Caribbean nation.
During his address, Malema praised the country (despite somewhat erroneously) for “never sending soldiers but only doctors and teachers” in consideration of the several educational and health-care projects between Cuba and South Africa.
“We owe our revolution to the Cubans as products of Marxism-Leninism, I stand here saluting the Cubans for giving us a meaning of revolution, and a revolution just needs a few brave men and women, who have courage and love in their hearts,” Malema said.
Malema’s stance against Western Imperialism is taken in the light of recent developments where the International Criminal Court, supported by the United States and other EU members, have sought to have South Africa arrest the Russian President Vladimir Putin and for the country to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.
“We call on the president of the People’s Republic of China, India and Brazil not to come to (the) Brics summit in solidarity with President Putin,” Malema said.
Malema also denounced the United States for “threatening” South Africa by demanding it turn against the Russian leader in exchange for remaining part of the landmark African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access for most exports.
“They can take away AGOA and leave us with our sovereignty,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
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