Malema wants opening of schools delayed, cites COVID-19 surge

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema has called for the Department Basic Education to postpone the reopening of schools in the country, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Malema gave his first media briefing of the year on Thursday, 15 January 2021, in which he laid out the EFF’s stances on a number of key issues, many of them pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We further call for the postponement of the reopening of all schools in light of the spike in new COVID-19 infections and uncontrollable rate of COVID-19 related deaths,” Malema said.

Schools are set to open on Wednesday, 27 January 2021, however at this point, that may not be set in stone. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to give more clarity on the matter on Friday, 15 January 2021.

Malema: ‘Humanity yet to properly understand’ COVID-19

Citing the new strain of COVID-19 which has been reportedly spreading faster amongst the youth in the country, Malema said schools were not ready yet to accommodate pupils.

“As the EFF, we oppose the gambling of the lives of children, to a virus that all of humanity is yet to properly understand. It will be extremely painful when families start losing their children because as leaders we failed to respect the situation we find ourselves in and preserve the future of our nation.”

EFF leader Julius Malema

Malema said as leaders, they needed to respond appropriately to the pandemic, adding that failure to do so could spell disaster for the country.

“Families start losing their children because as leaders we failed to respect the situation we find ourselves and preserve the future of our nation. As the EFF, we oppose the gambling of the lives of children, to a virus that all of humanity is yet to properly understand,” he said.

It appears that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) may be in agreement with Malema as reports suggest that the body wants schools to instead open on 15 February. President Cyril Ramaphosa had announced in his address that the NCCC, which determines the lockdown regulations, was still deliberating on whether or not classroom activity can go ahead.