Malema urges Ramaphosa to back 24-hour clinics, not bread handouts
· The South African
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to adopt the party’s proposal to run public clinics 24 hours a day, saying people need proper healthcare services rather than handouts.
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Julius Malema made the call on Thursday during Ramaphosa’s oral question session in the National Assembly at the Nieuwmeester Dome.
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— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 12, 2026
Commander-In-Chief and President of the EFF, @Julius_S_Malema, asked President Cyril Ramaphosa:
—President, despite the complications around the NHI, the EFF tabled a bill in 2018 to open clinics for 24 hours, but the ANC rejected it. Our people cannot wait for… pic.twitter.com/0SwFQ3T8Ak
Malema renews call for 24-hour clinics
Malema reminded Parliament that the Economic Freedom Fighters introduced a bill in 2018 proposing that clinics operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He said the African National Congress rejected the bill at the time.
Malema argued that South Africans cannot wait for the delayed rollout of the National Health Insurance Act while many people already struggle to access healthcare.
“They are not going to be sick in 2030. So we must be seen to be doing something now. Our people want clinics and health facilities that are in good condition, not bread per house,” he said.
Remarks follow viral ANC bread video
Malema’s remarks come after a viral video involving ANC MP and Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts showed volunteers distributing bread while wearing ANC-branded clothing.
The video, widely shared on social media, shows volunteers handing out loaves of bread to residents. In the clip, one volunteer says: “We are here from the ANC, one loaf, one family. ANC is life, so one loaf means a lot.”
Some of the volunteers wore clothing with “Vote ANC” branding.
ANC distances itself from bread distribution
The ANC has since distanced itself from the incident, saying the bread distribution was not part of an official party campaign and the organisation did not authorise it.
Malema criticised the practice and said the government should focus on lasting improvements to public services rather than short-term handouts.
Malema asked Ramaphosa whether he would support the EFF’s proposal to open clinics around the clock and upgrade facilities such as George Mkhari Academic Hospital in Gauteng and Tshilidzini Hospital in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.