ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has called for South Africans to join the party as it marches against "peddlers of disinformation" as the party commemorates Human Rights Day on Saturday, March 21.
Image: MYANC X Account
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has issued a rallying cry for South Africans to join forces with the party and its alliance partners in an upcoming "People’s March".
The march, set for Saturday, March 21, coincides with the 66th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, with Mbalula saying it will also serve as a pivotal moment to reaffirm commitment to the nation's Constitution, which he claimed is under siege from "peddlers of disinformation."
"We have seen people peddling disinformation in the US, lying that there is a genocide. President Cyril Ramaphosa went to the White House to engage and dispel these lies. Because of these lies, we have seen an unprecedented amount of attention where our foreign policy is being attacked, BEE is being attacked, and threats of bad-faith investigations by the Trump administration are rampant. This is why this march is important," he stated.
In a media briefing alongside party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri and first deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane, Mbalula further emphasised that the march is not an ANC initiative, but a collective national movement aimed at defending the country's democracy.
The march is intended to commence at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg, making its way towards Mandela Bridge before concluding at the Constitutional Hill.
Mbalula called for a collective show of support, saying it is time for South Africa to unite behind one common vision and purpose.
"This march is also an affirmation of unity. It is also a recognition that the future of South Africa cannot be built by one group alone but requires the collective effort of all who live in it. It is a call for unity across race, class, gender, and geography, and a reminder that our diversity is a source of strength," he said.
Mbalula addressed the recent comments made by the US Ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell III, whowas criticised for making "anti-diplomatic" remarks regarding the "Kill the Boer" chant.
Over a week ago, while participating in a podcast, Bozell labelled the chant as hate speech, contradicting a 2022 ruling by the Equality Court, which deemed the chant neither hate speech nor incitement. "I do not care what the courts say, but that chant is hate speech," Bozell had said.
Mbalula slammed Bozell, stating, "Bozell came here and spoke out of turn even before he presented his credentials. He fought against this democracy by protesting against OR Tambo. He disrespected and undermined our courts. We will not allow disrespect, and that’s why our government decided to demarche him because of his undiplomatic utterances."