WATCH: Malema praises Black Coffee, rails against ‘coward young artists’

The EFF recently celebrated its fourth birthday in Durban, and its leader, Julius Malema, had a few words for young musicians.

In his speech, Malema celebrated those flying the South African flag high – Black Coffee, Trevor Noah, Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk – and said they made South Africa proud.

“Let’s celebrate Trevor Noah, those are the people who make us to be proud South Africans. Let us look at Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk, and say to them: ‘When we are down, you always lift our spirit.'”

Though “we” looked at President Jacob Zuma and became “demoralised”, musicians such as Dorothy Masuku gave people hope that if they could defeat apartheid, “we can defeat bathakathi [witches], it is possible”.

“Bra Hugh Masekela, Yvonne Chakachaka, Sipho Hotstix Mabuza, Addul Ibrahim, Ringo Madlingozi, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Ray Phiri, and all those who produce beautiful music to keep us going – we salute you. We see you, we recognise you, and we’ll do everything in our power to protect your legacy,” he added.

Malema said, however, he hoped these “coward young artists” could learn from the music legends, as there was apparently no young artist who deserved to be celebrated.

“They are all driven by money, all of them are unconscious rappers, they rap about money. They don’t rap about consciousness and possible solutions to the revolution. They like money more than liking their own country. We must not celebrate mediocrity.”

The EFF leader went on to talk about an artist who went to America, and said they felt like they were at home.

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“One of them actually went to America, and said when they’re in America they feel like they’re at home. Hawu, a rapper that calls America home? We cannot celebrate such things. We must celebrate the giants, and we must say to the young musicians: ‘Stop being cowards, confront the status quo,'” said Malema.

The role of an artist was to discomfit listeners and challenge the status quo, he said.

“Please don’t be too dull, too obvious about your cars, about your houses, and forget about the unemployed South Africans.”

Watch the video below posted on YouTube by ZAHziwa Entertainment: