An emotional Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Leader, Julius Malema, cried as he thanked his late grandmother Koko Sarah for protecting him as a guardian angel during difficult times and attacks, particularly when he wanted to give up.
"I would like to thank my late grandmother, who remains my guardian angel," he said.
"Even in moments when I feel like giving up and surrendering due to attacks and difficulties, her spirit and fearlessness continue to inspire me."
Koko Sarah died in 2019, at the age of 90.
Malema concluded his more than three-hour political report at the EFF's National People's Assembly (NPA) on Friday by describing how his resilience was sustained by his grandmother.
“She is the one who named me her soldier, and as a result, I have become a soldier of the people,” he said.
Malema added that his grandmother’s solid courage continues to inspire him not to give up on the EFF.
Delegates attending the third elective conference vowed to continue supporting their leader and ensuring that the EFF was not down and out.
Malema also promised not to disappoint his grandmother and keep her legacy alive.
"I honour her memory and strive never to disappoint her, even as she watches over me from heaven," he said.
"For this reason, I will never abandon this movement. She entrusted me with the role of being a father figure and a parent to the destitute and forgotten masses of our people."
Malema further extended his appreciation to his family — his wife, children, and friends — who he said suffered the consequences of his activism.
“Their firm support is a testament to me that it is possible for black people to build strong families and place love at the centre of their lives,” he said.
He also thanked the EFF members including the leadership for holding down the party in all corners of the country.
Meanwhile, as the delegates in Soweto set to elect their new leaders on Saturday, it is unclear as to who is challenging who, especially for the deputy president position.
Although the party lost dramatically in the May 29 elections, Malema encouraged members to work more on the ground to revive their party’s image.
IOL Politics