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Johannesburg - Only representatives of US imperialists can question President Jacob Zuma's decision to cancel Cuba's R1.1bn debt, ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema said on Monday.
Addressing thousands of young people attending the World Festival of Youth and Students in Atteridgeville's Lucas Moripe Stadium, Malema commended Zuma for his courage. He also slated the Democratic Alliance, calling it a representative of imperialists in the country .
"It's a wonderful and brave step. I know the imperialists were wounded by that effort. The representatives of those imperialists here at home in the form of the Democratic Alliance have a problem. The people of Cuba did not pay R1bn for our freedom but paid the highest price - with their lives," he said.
When the news broke last week, South Africans expressed differing views. The DA said government's decision to write off R1.1bn of debt owed by Cuba raised questions about the priorities and objectives of the Zuma administration.
"One has to wonder what the Zuma administration wishes to achieve by buying better relations with Cuba," said the party's foreign affairs spokesperson Kenneth Mubu.
Revolutionary song
He said government was not promoting a sensible foreign policy either, by building ties with one of the world's last remaining socialist states.
Malema extended his gratitude to Zuma who was sitting on stage waiting to address the youth, saying it was a privilege to have such a "fearless" president and that Zuma did not owe anyone an explanation.
Malema spoke strongly against human rights violations in many countries, reminding them that "the youth always kept the fires burning" even in the midst of the fight for liberation.
He described the festival attended by thousands of young people from over 100 countries as a historical gathering and reminded them about the need to continue fighting for economic power.
The stadium roared out a revolutionary song after Malema's speech.
Addressing thousands of young people attending the World Festival of Youth and Students in Atteridgeville's Lucas Moripe Stadium, Malema commended Zuma for his courage. He also slated the Democratic Alliance, calling it a representative of imperialists in the country .
"It's a wonderful and brave step. I know the imperialists were wounded by that effort. The representatives of those imperialists here at home in the form of the Democratic Alliance have a problem. The people of Cuba did not pay R1bn for our freedom but paid the highest price - with their lives," he said.
When the news broke last week, South Africans expressed differing views. The DA said government's decision to write off R1.1bn of debt owed by Cuba raised questions about the priorities and objectives of the Zuma administration.
"One has to wonder what the Zuma administration wishes to achieve by buying better relations with Cuba," said the party's foreign affairs spokesperson Kenneth Mubu.
Revolutionary song
He said government was not promoting a sensible foreign policy either, by building ties with one of the world's last remaining socialist states.
Malema extended his gratitude to Zuma who was sitting on stage waiting to address the youth, saying it was a privilege to have such a "fearless" president and that Zuma did not owe anyone an explanation.
Malema spoke strongly against human rights violations in many countries, reminding them that "the youth always kept the fires burning" even in the midst of the fight for liberation.
He described the festival attended by thousands of young people from over 100 countries as a historical gathering and reminded them about the need to continue fighting for economic power.
The stadium roared out a revolutionary song after Malema's speech.
