The Economic Freedom Fighters held a rally in Sebokeng, outside Johannesburg on Saturday. The rally was an interactive session between the leadership of the EFF and the residents of Sebokeng. The EFF wanted to hear from the people about their concerns and struggles. Members of the community got the opportunity to speak directly to EFF leaders about unemployment, service delivery, corruption and drug abuse issues.
Relating to unemployment, a resident told the leaders in red berets that not everyone who is unemployed in Sebokeng is uneducated. There are many people sitting at home with qualifications which can be instrumental in social development but even those people could not find jobs. Another resident spoke about how unemployment among young people was the root cause of the drug problem. ‘Nyaope’ is the drug of choice among youth in the area.
‘Nyaope’ is a drug whose components include anti-retroviral medication, marijuana and a host of other household products which have an intoxicating effect if combined. A former member of COPE wondered if the EFF would not be like other political organizations that “come to Sebokeng, make people stand in sun, feed them empty promises and never return”. One resident raised the question of corruption.
Mpho Ramakatsa addressed the crowd. Ramakatsa is another EFF leader who was formerly with the ANC and now faces charges of fraud and corruption. He told reporters on Thursday that no member of the EFF had been found guilty of corruption however; the public should expect many such cases against him, Julius Malema and other EFF leaders. That is a challenge that the EFF is expecting and willing to face.
Patrick Sindane is the Gauteng regional spokesperson for the EFF. His roots are in Sebokeng and he is familiar with the struggles of the people in that area. “I know many of you and some of you know me.” This is the type of leadership that the EFF says it wants to embrace. The EFF emphasizes that it wants the type of government where leaders in the community know their people, struggle with the people and work together with the people to find solutions. The EFF insists that this is the nature of the “struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime”.
The crowd broke out into song and loud cheers when it was Julius Malema’s turn to speak. He said that the problem with the ruling party was that leaders distance themselves from the people once they are voted into power. The EFF is made up of radical leaders who will join their followers in protest. Malema said that when there are riots and people ‘toyi-toyi’, leaders should not be in offices far away from the commotion. Leaders should be in the crowd when bullets are fired and teargas is thrown at protesters.
Julius Malema took on a biblical approach when talking about the ANC which he says belongs to President Jacob Zuma these days and should be called Zuma African National Congress. Four years ago, President Zuma said that the ANC would rule until Jesus comes back. At the Sebokeng rally, Malema said: “They said they were going to rule until Jesus comes back. What kind of a statement is that?”
The Commander in Chief of the EFF, Julius Malema, warned: “So, Jesus has come back, they must go out. They are not the Alpha and Omega.” The people are the “Alpha and Omega” and the people have the power to “take over this government”.
Julius Malema reiterated the call for land expropriation without compensation which was met with agreement from those in attendance. He spoke in detail about poor health services saying that after 20 years, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital should at least be in a position to offer quality treatment to esteemed individuals like Nelson Mandela as well as ordinary people.
Malema has always said that the Economic Freedom Fighters want a government that will bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The EFF have their work cut out for them ahead of next year’s elections. Malema dismissed the speculation that Tokyo Sexwale who was recently sacked as the Human Settlements Minister in the latest cabinet reshuffle by President Zuma would be joining EFF. Malema explained that the EFF was not looking for big names who are out of touch with the people. The EFF is eager to team up with ordinary citizens who are willing to do the hard work of servicing their communities. The EFF is currently preparing for its NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE which will be held in Soweto from 26 – 27 July.
If the EFF is the solution to take us in a land of promise let it be cause now the Anc has been making promise’s that they can’t fullfil
Yaa I like EFF maybe will can our land yooo ,just came end see were in diepsloot ,no 1 yooo mathata fela viva malema viva
Hi,I’ve worked for 30 years now lm leaving without a million in my contributions toward multi trillion to foreigners left us poor take them JUju power to the people
they make us go through hell
Juju release us from this
we waiting for our Lephalale Rally very soon
Zuma African National Congress is destroying our beautiful land, I support mr Malema with full of energy. EFF all the way. Come april 2014.
It’s good to c people fighting against corruption and fraud but i hope i people won’t be fooled by another
Speach that promises every thing and fulfills nothing . Is this not the same guy who said he,ll die 4 ZUMA
EFF is da answer I guess,I mean ANC is always promisin n more especially b4 votes n after dat dey 4get us….viva EFF vivaaaaaaaaa……..dankie Julius,u r such an inspiration 2me
Plz come to Durban is wainting for EFF. People need help, Labour Brokers,
Tax to Zuma kingdom
Informal settlements
Note this
in mount edgecom (gate one, gate2, gate3, gate4), umhlanga africans are not welcom in side the golf course. At the gates securitry are not allowing blacks to enter.
who killed Zuma bodyguard (he was in love with MaNtuli)? We need the answer bcos his family of the bodyguard needs the truth..
GATSHA BUTHELEZI +GEDLEYHLEKISE ZUMA = GGGGGG
We love anc but now zuma anc is same as Bethelezi ifp, longtime (1986- 2004) when you touch Buthelezi or against him you are dead or fired or running by yourself away serving your life lyk Oscar Dlomo and many more. Now it happen to ANC, WHERE IS THABO MBEKI AND MANY MORE?
if you touch zuma family you are dead, as his kids they are big bosses in Durban Town. Zuma family is dangerous now.
Buthelezi has CASTLE People in eNkonjeni Where not have houses BUT TOKYO SEXWALE BUILD RDP HOUSES LAST YEAR 2012
zuma has CASTLE PEOPLE OF NKADLA HAS NO HOUSES EVEN RDPs
I like flowing with the truth…EFF is the best way of getting to our long lost green pastures. Juju myk us proud…..don’t prmse us anythng…jst do for us..
I personally like his ideas but will he leave up to them ?, yes .Zuma & Anc has lost touch with reality & the only noble thing they can do now is to show him the door be for is to late. Viva EFF Viva