Malema dismisses National Dialogue as waste of state resources

Julius Malema addressing supporters in Seshego

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has criticised the National Dialogue saying it is a waste of state resources. Malema was speaking during the Siyabonga rally held at Seshego in Polokwane, Limpopo on Saturday to celebrate the outcome of the by-election that took place in July.

The EFF was victorious during the by-election at ward 13. The party retained the ward by 57%, while the African National Congress (ANC) garnered 39%.

Malema says government is aware of various challenges facing communities in the country, yet millions were wasted on the National Dialogue.

“It really did not serve any purpose. If anything, it was saving the egos of certain people, and therefore it was a waste of money. NGOs and people who participated in that preparations suggested that it must be postponed, because they are not ready only to go and embarrass themselves the way they did. We don’t support this convention. We don’t support the national dialogue. We know the demands of our people. We cannot spend R700 million of the money that we don’t have.”

Malema says they are optimistic that they will garner more votes in Limpopo during the 2026 local government elections.

“Well, we are ready to win wards in the coming elections in Bela Bela and everywhere else in Limpopo because we want the EFF to be present in every township, municipality, rural area and it must take over the government in those contested wards.”

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President @Julius_S_Malema engaging with members of the media at the #EFFSiyabongaRally in Seshego, Ward 13.

We don’t support the National Dialogue, we know the demands of our people, we cannot spend R700 million of the money that we don’t have, our people need… pic.twitter.com/J0uMATWeVs

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 16, 2025

Malema also sent out condolences to the widows and the children of those in the Marikana massacre. Today is the 13th anniversary of the massacre at the Lonmin platinum mine near Rustenburg, in the North West.

Thirty-four miners were gunned down during a strike to demand a salary increase.

“Our condolences once more to the widows of Marikana, to the children who lost their fathers on this important day and Marikana is what made the EFF to be what it is. EFF and Marikana will remain one thing, the pain of Marikana still remains our pain because till today no one has been held accountable.’