By Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launched its election manifesto at a packed Mehlaring Stadium in Tembisa on Saturday.
The party stuck to its guns regarding the nationalisation of mines and the expropriation of land without compensation.
The manifesto centred around the seven pillars that have come to be associated with the association. EFF leader, Mr Julius Malema, told the thousands of supporters who had gathered at the stadium that the time had come for them to liberate themselves, as those entrusted to do so had failed them.
“It is clear that 20 years has proved that those trusted with giving us a better life have sold out. You must be your own liberators,” he said. He added that as the country celebrates 20 years of democracy, black people are still very poor. He further pointed out that the majority of black people are still landless and hopeless.
“20 years later, young and old black workers are still subjected to slave salaries. Under the EFF government, there would be equal pay for equal work, irrespective of gender, race, class and place of origin,” said Mr Malema. He added that his party believed that all jobs in the country will be permanent.
The seven pillars of the EFF include land expropriation without compensation, nationalisation of banks and strategic sectors of the economy, nationalisation of mines, nationalisation of the Reserve Bank and the creation of a state bank, state owned enterprises, development of the African Bank and building progressive trade partnerships with the world.
When acknowledging messages of support, advocate Dali Mpofu said nearly all progressive parties sent messages of support.
“We have also received an encouraging message from our EFF branch in Sudan. It should be noted that we have branches all over the world,” he said.
