Johannesburg – Hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members marched to the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto on Saturday to draw “energy” for the organisation.

“We came here to collect the fighting energy…it’s going to sustain EFF for a hundred years,” EFF leader Julius Malema told members.

The large group sang and danced before he addressed them.

He said they planned on carrying on where those involved in the 1976 Soweto uprising left off.

Malema said that when the delegates went back to their communities, they had to report back that they had met Pieterson and the generation of 1976.

“Today marks the beginning of the continuation of the struggle. Hector must say to Tsietsi Mashinini [leader of the uprising] that not all black brothers have sold out,” he said.

Malema said their sacrifices had not been forgotten. 

He said that as long as people in the country did not have access to water, electricity and houses, the objectives of 1976 had not been met.

He encouraged members to be fearless.

“Don’t be scared of anyone, just like the 1976 youth. We must fight for our people,” he said.

After visiting the memorial, they marched through the streets of Soweto, disrupting traffic as they made their way back to the Uncle Tom Hall where their national assembly is taking place.

SAPA