Julius Malema Urges Youths to Decolonize the Mind and Follow Steve Biko’s Example

When you hear the name ‘Julius Malema’, one thing comes to mind – ‘Revolution!’

The Economic Freedom Fighters leader has become a face of modern-day revolution which he champions through parliament. The South African Pan-African activist and revolutionary leader again did what has become his expertise – speaking to inspire people.

Julius Malema got students on their feet during his June 16 lecture at the University of Fort Hare with his words. He abused the mentalities of many Africans and directed their sights to the light, which is to decolonize the mind and re-define education in Africa.

African youths all over social media have joined many South Africans in saying that Malema and the message he preaches must be protected at all costs.

During the lecture yesterday, the vocal EFF leader touched on decolonizing the mind of the African child among other things.

Speaking on decolonizing the minds and self-education, Julius Malema encouraged students to follow in the footsteps of great Pan-African heroes like Steve Biko. He said Africans need to educate themselves on black consciousness and further clarified on what the EFF meant when it spoke about decolonizing education.

“Decolonization of education does not mean you must be taught in Xhosa, you can be taught in Xhosa and be taught wrong things. It means that we ought to liberate the syllabus. The content must liberate the mind of the African child.

“When you are taught it gives you examples of whiteness and when you graduate you want to be like white people. We don’t want education that gives examples of whiteness as a center of excellence. The bible is written in Xhosa as well and yet projects Christianity as white,” he said.

“What is the image of our colonizer in South Africa? It is to bleach ourselves and want to look white. To straighten our hair and want to look white. Wanting to speak English better than the English themselves. The colonizer has made you in their image. You must walk like them, speak like them and dress like. Anything doesn’t reflect the image of the colonizer is taboo.

“I never said a person who bleaches themselves is not an African. Do it, as long as it comes from inside. Don’t do it because you want to look like your mother’s boss. Do it as long as, for some reason, it brings you fulfillment.

“As long as it comes from inside you, straighten your hair, not because you want to look like Helen Zille. She’s not one of the best people you want to look like. Black Consciousness is self-love.

“We’re in a revolution here.”

Quotes Courtesy The Citizen

Header Image Credit: BusinessLIVE