ANC Youth League supporters hold Economic Freedom March

Julius Malema
ANC Youth League Leader

ANC Freedom March

ANC Youth League supporters hold Economic Freedom March
Funke Atohengbe, Pretoria

Tens of thousands of supporters of  the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress in South Africa have marched from Johannesburg to Pretoria to express their displeasure over the economic imbalance between the poor  majority black South Africans and the rich minority whites.

Known as the “Economic Freedom March” the ANC Youth League supporters marched to the Chamber of Mines in central Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to present their protest letters before walking to Pretoria where a vigil was held from Thursday night prior to a march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday.

Major roads in and around the Central Business District in Pretoria ware closed to traffic during the freedom march.

Security was beefed-up while traffic officials were on hand to direct the youths as they marched with the officials of the League, led by its President, Julius Malema.

Cars covered in yellow ANC posters were promoting the march, private security company employees escorted mini buses decorated with the same posters while helicopters circled overhead.

About 30 traditional healers had performed a ritual at the Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg where members and supporters of the league gathered for the take off of the mass march.

They sat on traditional carpets, beating drums and drank the traditional beer {UMQOMBOTHI} from a calabash and prayed to the ancestors to make “the economic freedom march” a success and for government to listen to the grievances of the youths.

Increasing unemployment  

Many black South Africans within the vibrant age of 20 and 35 are without jobs or skill with over 15 million people depending on social grants from the state.

The mining industry which used to be a major source of employment for thousands of black South Africans has been significantly affected in recent years with many mines shutting down while others are scaling back production, hence the growing pool of unemployed working age mainly blacks.

The President of the ANC Youth League, Julius Malema  has incurred the wrath of the wealthy white minority who benefited from the defunct apartheid regime, for calling for black economic freedom, seizure of white owned farms and land without compensation and the nationalization of mines.

The distance between Johannesburg and Pretoria is about 60 kilometers.

Williams