THOHOYANDOU – The Economic Freedom Fighters have joined their 13th anniversary celebrations with the party’s election manifesto launch in Thohoyandou.
Party leader Julius Malema said victory is certain for the Red Berets and municipalities would not get the much-needed change without the EFF. He said they would achieve this by providing quality jobs with medical aid and pension funds.
He unveiled their plans and saying these are the following as their key focus points:
Service Delivery Focus
Commitment to jobs, water, electricity, proper food, and reliable services for youth in Vhembe and Limpopo.
“We want proper food. We want water, we want electricity, and not just electricity. We want reliable electricity.
“We don't want tenders. We want people to work directly, have an appointment letter,
have a medical aid, have a pension fund and also have leave days,” he said.
Municipal Accountability
Addressing collapsed municipalities, corruption, and demanding more funding for local government to serve people directly.
“Our municipalities have collapsed. That's why they steal from the poor.
Employment & Economic Opportunities
Creating jobs locally, supporting small businesses, and ensuring land for both settlement and economic development.
“There is no one who will liberate Polokwane and give the children of Polokwane quality jobs that are paying with medical aid and pension fund except the EFF.”
Infrastructure & Dignity
Building houses with proper toilets, fixing potholes, establishing 24-hour clinics, and ensuring sanitation and waste collection.
“There can be no real freedom without a functioning municipality.”
Gender Equality & Safety
Policy ensuring equal employment for men and women; stopping crime and sexual exploitation by officials.
“Our children must go and study even at night without any fear of being raped by rascals on the way to the library."
Youth-Centred Approach
Youth at the forefront of all initiatives, addressing unemployment and crime that affect them most.
“We want the youth of Vhembe, the youths of Limpopo to succeed in their own right. And therefore the only organisation that will make the youth succeed is the EFF.”
Malema also pointed to what he described as the party’s successes in coalition governments as a sign it is ready to take over.
Malema said the Red Berets have improved service delivery in Ekurhuleni and transformed Tshwane into a cleaner city.
"The EFF has worked very hard. The EFF in Ekurhuleni has made sure that it gives our people dignified sanitation and water. The EFF stabilised the finances of Ekurhuleni.
“Once they removed our MMC in Ekurhuleni, the finances of Ekurhuleni collapsed. It is the EFF that is known for giving people houses, because the EFF cares about our people.
“Today, Tshwane is clean. You will mistake it for London, because those who came before, they are used to staying in dirty places. The best MMC when it comes to cleaning a town comes from the EFF, and he is found in Tshwane, and his name is over again. We can learn one or two from him if we want a better government."
Without mincing his words, Malema said it is crunch time for South Africa and that the upcoming election will be one for the books.
“Comrades, today South Africa is confronted with a choice that can no longer be postponed. It is a choice between victory or death. The collapse of our municipalities and the failure of local government in South Africa is not just about broken pipes, port walls, refuse collection, water and electricity supply,” he added.