Julius Malema criticises South Africa’s Twitter activists

At an EFF press conference this afternoon, party leader Julius Malema denounced the actions of South Africans who see Twitter as the highest form of protest.

Twitter has been one of the biggest platforms for activism in South Africa recently, mainly because of users’ ability to get information out quickly. During last year’s #FeesMustFall protests, the platform gave protesters a voice to counter what universities were touting as the truth.

In the party’s first briefing after the State of the Nation address last week, the EFF outlined their version of the chaotic evening. While accusing President Jacob Zuma of not abiding by the constitution, Malema criticised South Africans who protest on Twitter then “go and sleep.” He then called on South Africans to “take a stand.”

#Malema: we can’t have a country that only protests on Twitter. South Africans must take a stand! #EFFPresser

— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 14, 2017

Many Twitter users agreed with his statement.

Malema is right in the sense that people vent on twitter and do nothing else. South Africans are the ones suffering at the end of the day.

— Gavin Tucker (@Gavintucker) February 14, 2017

On that he is right. Black folks are so good at venting on Twitter but Dololo action after. #Malema calls SONA2017 saga ANC hate.

— Refilwe Modipane (@fifi_modipane) February 14, 2017

Others saw his criticism as unfair.

Twitter is the way… we will protest here. malema

— Tebzaboy SA® (@TebzaboySA) February 14, 2017

Kahle kahle ufuna senzeni ke Malema? Shading us on Twitter
We don’t have access to Parliament mos. pic.twitter.com/mJWan44QYk

— Soldat Faku👑 (@Mak1803) February 14, 2017

The conference, currently streaming live at the time of writing, can be viewed here: