EFF recognises SA’s problems but its ‘solutions’ will bring further problems – analyst

In coming up with key issues affecting South Africa during the unveiling of its election manifesto on Saturday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) managed to tick all the boxes by accurately diagnosing the challenges the country faces.

But the party failed to provide appropriate solutions, according to independent political analyst Daniel Silke.

At its manifesto launch before a red-clad capacity crowd that filled the Giant Stadium in the Soshanguve township of Pretoria, the EFF singled out its long-established seven pillars that it said would drive its 2019 elections campaign. These were:

• Expropriation of land without compensation.
• Nationalisation of mines, banks and other strategic sectors of the economy.
• Building state and government capacity, leading to the abolishment of tenders.
• Free, quality education, health care, houses and sanitation.
• Protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs, including the introduction of a minimum wage to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
• Development of the African economy and advocating for a move from reconciliation to justice on the entire continent.
• Open, accountable, corrupt-free government and a society without fear of victimisation by state agencies.

“The areas covered are critical problems facing South Africa,” Silke noted.

The party ticks all the right boxes when it comes to the subject matter, but the EFF fails to provide appropriate solutions, other than centralising control of everything to the state.

“The mechanisms employed have not been successful,” he said. “Their philosophy of central ownership of power and resources has already been proven to be a failure in many other parts of the world.”

The effect of the party’s messaging on voters “will be tested during the poll campaign”.

“Land and jobs require a clear and concise message. But all other political parties will touch on the same issues.

“They are entering an already crowded policy field when it comes to their messaging because the ANC, [Democratic Alliance], [United Democratic Movement] and other political parties will mention the same.  The question is, what stands out?”

EFF president Julius Malema said newly appointed National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head advocate Shamila Batohi was “close” to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and being “controlled by a group that is very close to Gordhan”.

Silke said: “The EFF has been nervous about some of their members being implicated in such scandals as the VBS [Mutual] Bank. This is an effort to try to discredit the new NPA boss. This is no surprise because they can potentially feel the heat due to their members’ alleged involvement in the VBS.”

Amid loud cheers, Malema told EFF supporters: “I’ve got no trust in the newly appointed NPA head. She is very close to Pravin Gordhan.

“She is controlled by a group that is very close to Pravin. They appointed her to protect the crimes of Pravin Gordhan and the cabal of Gordhan and Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The EFF will appoint an independent NPA head who is going to arrest criminals, whether they are EFF criminals [or not].”

– brians@citizen.co.za

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