Johannesburg - Hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members marched to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, in Soweto, on Saturday to draw “energy” for the organisation.
“We came here to collect the fighting energy, It is going to sustain EFF for a hundred years,” EFF leader Julius Malema told the members.
The large group sang and danced before he addressed them.
He said they planned on carrying on where those involved in the Soweto uprising in 1976 left off.
Malema said that when the delegates went back to their communities, they had to report back that they met Pieterson and the generation of 1976.
“Today marks the beginning of the continuation of the struggle. Hector must say to Tsietsi Mashinini (leader of the uprising) that not all black brothers have sold out,” he said.
Malema said their sacrifices were not forgotten. He said that as long as people in the country did not have access to water, electricity and houses, then the objectives of 1976 had not been met.
He encouraged members to be fearless.
“Don't be scared of anyone, just like the 1976 youth. We must fight for our people,” he said.
Commissar for policy research and development, Floyd Shivambu echoed Malema's message and said they would pick up the spear that fell during the uprisings and continue the struggle for economic freedom.
The organisation took a picture at the site as a reminder.
After visiting the memorial, they marched through the streets of Soweto, disrupting traffic as they made their way back to the Uncle Tom Hall where their national assembly is taking place.
The EFF members then held closed sessions to decide on the way forward for the organisation.
The closed sessions were to allow members the opportunity to have an input into the organisation's constitution and some of its policies.
Earlier, leaders read out the constitution and other EFF documents to the hundreds of people wearing red berets and T-shirts who had packed the hall.
They sang liberation songs and took a swipe at President Jacob Zuma.
They sang: “What kind of person are you supporting a shower, are you mad.”
As they sang, members placed their hands above their heads in reference to the depiction of Zuma with a shower head over his head by cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro). - Sapa