“The only way we can talk to them as equals of America, China and Europe is when we have become a country as Africa. We can be equals to them and we can negotiate as equals. Swaziland claims to be a country, with so few people. It pretends that it can negotiate on its own against the coloniser England. That’s not possible,” Malema said while addressing supporters in Pretoria. 

“That is why [former colonisers] do not want unity of black people. Once we are united as a country, as Africa, we will have the power to call the United Kingdom to return the stolen gold of Kimberley, the stolen gold from Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe’s beautiful diamonds.” 

The firebrand opposition leader said his dream was for Africa to have one president, one currency, one executive and a shared military. 

“Why do you call Botswana a country? Or Swaziland. You want Botswana to go and sit with America at the same table, and negotiate as equals? Botswana will never be equal to America in terms of military power, the currency strength, the economy, or political influence. Botswana can never be referred to as a country like America,” Malema charged. 

The EFF leader also criticised Botswana for the policies prioritising certain sectors of the economy for Botswana. 

“Hatred of the black skin must stop, here in South Africa and everywhere in Africa. I was listening to some nonsensical news of Botswana where there are certain sectors of the economy which will be reserved for people of Botswana only. Instead of saying the sectors will be reserved for black Africans because there is no Swaziland, no Lesotho, and no Botswana because we are one family,” said Malema. 

“[The colonisers] went to meet and took a decision to divide us. They imposed borders on us because they are divided by African unity. You must not buy into the story of the existence of Botswana and Lesotho because these borders are an imagination.” 

Malema also criticised sections of the South African population championing the #BlackLivesMatter global movement while maintaining silence or supporting attacks when foreign nationals, particularly African immigrants, were brutalised in South Africa.

“While you kill Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Nigerians and Somalians here in South Africa and you call them 'makwerekwere' and all sorts of names, today you are holding a placard saying #BlackLivesMatter? You supported the killing of your fellow black brothers and sisters, and you have some useless hashtag on social media saying #PutSouthAfricaFirst. That is narrow nationalism,” Malema said. 

African News Agency