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Founder and Leader of South Africa's far-left political group, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, has enjoined former heads of state on the African continent to give the needed respect to current leaders.

For democracy on the continent to thrive, he opined ex-presidents should not make it their business to interfere in the administration of their successors.

Speaking at an event organized by Ghanaian socialist pressure group, Arise Ghana Youth Movement, the South African politician preferred African leaders acted "like all other progressive former presidents who are statesmen at home waiting for courtesy visits and consultations and attending to honour state functions".

"We call on all African leaders not to leave an office with a coffin, when the time comes for them to go, they must leave without calling the Army to extend their tenure, no one is born a leader, no one is a traditional in a political office. If you want to be a traditional leader, go and fight in your tribe for those type of issues, we don’t subscribe to people who want to leave a political office with a coffin.

"We will still give you a state funeral because you are a former President, we will still pay you pensions and give you protection and take care of you as long as you respect those who came after you.

"You have to ensure that democracy matures in such a manner in Africa, where the previous president does not make it his business to fight the current president, you must allow the new to lead with all their force because you were the same, it doesn’t mean you are perfect.

"The young ones who are coming after you, will manage the challenge the current one," Mr Malema added.

To him, when former presidents behave in the afore-mentioned manner, Africa will be stable.

Touching on elections on the African continent, Mr. Malema reiterated the need for a free, fair and transparent elections, pointing out that the conduct of elections only offers the avenue for citizens to freely choose who they deem fit to govern the country.

"Elections in Africa should never mean there should be blood on the floor...We must hate to see our own blood," he added.

Hon. Malema indicated the need to protect the democracy in African and encouraged all and sundry to hold patriotism in very high esteem in order to have sustainable development on the continent.