Malema misses the point

Statements by South Africa's opposition EFF leader, Julius Malema that President Robert Mugabe is not to blame for the problems in Zimbabwe and that he and other African leaders, with the exception of South Africa should rule for as long as they like are sickening as they betray either a serious lack of understanding on the Zimbabwean situation or a deep hatred for the people of Zimbabwe.

Malema is entitled to his opinions, but when he makes such inflammatory statements over a situation he does not have a full grasp of, it crosses the line.

It baffles the mind why he would absolve President Mugabe of all blame of Zimbabwe's problems when he and his Zanu PF party have presided over the suffering of Zimbabweans through the mismanagement of the economy, corruption, violence and genocide over the past 34 -years. The country has been reduced to a vending economy due to catastrophic unemployment while millions of Zimbabweans have fled the difficult conditions to other countries, South Africa included, under President Mugabe's watch.

What is so troubling and inexplicable about Malema's remarks is that he makes it clear that democratic practices should only be applicable to South Africa and not any other African country. For him to say any other African leader with the exception of South Africa can rule for more than two terms is foolish and should not be coming from of a person who aspires to be a President of a country one day. As MDC we find it quite disturbing that Malema finds it palatable to condemn the rest of Africa to the whims of dictators while fighting against the same in his own country. His statements betray his selfishness, hypocrisy and a blatant disregard for the welfare of the rest of Africa.

As MDC we believe that as a continent, the day we begin classifying some countries as more worthy than others is the day we abandon our commitment for a just, prosperous and democratic Africa.