Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says the R700-million budgeted for National Dialogue should be used to fund free tertiary education.
Malema was speaking at the June 16 commemorative Rally at King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
The National Dialogue was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa and will include a national convention on August 15.
Funds for public engagement
The funds are expected to assist with public engagements that will be happening across South Africa.
Malema said it did not make sense that the nation did not have money to assist flood victims in KwaZulu-Natal, but can fund a National Dialogue.
“A National Dialogue means to talk. And for talking they want R700-million, yet our people don’t have tarred roads. Our people don’t have bridges. Here in KZN, people were involved in floods and there was no money. But all of a sudden, there is R700-million for talking,” said Malema.
“They want to steal from us, we don’t want that dialogue. Take that R700-million, go and finance free tertiary education. Give our children quality education,” Malema added.
Malema said the red berets will continue to also fight against cellphone data rates. He said it is more costly to purchase data that in other African countries.
The EFF boss also emphasised that it is unnecessary that data expires. He believes that one should be able to use their data anytime they want.
Mobile data
“Data is expensive in South Africa. We say data must fall because it is information, you use data to access information. To look for jobs, and when it is expensive it means you cannot have access to those opportunities,” said Malema.
“How can data be cheap in Malawi and Kenya but be expensive in South Africa, where Vodacom comes from? It has to be cheap here because it comes from here,” he added.
He said it is also necessary that all schools have free WiFi across South Africa. Public spaces needed WiFi to catch up with the era of information and technology, he added.
He believes only the EFF will fight and win the battle against internet access. The party better understands the challenges faced by young people in South Africa.
Malema also addressed sanitation challenges, saying sanitary towels should be handed out for free in all schools. This would assist in curbing monthly absenteeism for girls.
