Alpha Ramushwana14 December 2024 | 13:01

Malema defends post-matric qualification proposal for EFF leaders

Speaking at a media briefing on the sidelines of the conference, Julius Malema said the post-matric qualification requirement would ensure the party has the capacity to govern effectively.

Malema defends post-matric qualification proposal for EFF leaders

EFF leader Julius Malema addresses the media on Saturday, 14 December 2024, at the party's elective conference in Boksburg. Picture: Jacques Nelles / Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has defended his proposal that anyone seeking to serve in the party’s top leadership positions must hold a post-matric qualification.  

The party is holding its elective conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg this weekend, where it will table a motion to include this requirement in its constitution.  

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Speaking at a media briefing on the sidelines of the conference, Malema said the post-matric qualification requirement would ensure the party has the capacity to govern effectively.  

There have been concerns that the EFF's proposed constitutional amendment, which requires individuals seeking leadership positions within the party to have a post-matric qualification, is unfair to those without such credentials.  

However, Malema argued that there were numerous examples of the dangers posed by unqualified leaders within both the party and the state.  

“We are not going to have illiterate leaders. [Jacob] Zuma should have been a good example of why we don’t need such things. We must look at Zuma and say something like this must never happen. We want to give to society the best in society.”