‘EFF is ready and capable to lead Limpopo after election’

LIMPOPO – The EFF, the official opposition party in Limpopo with six seats, is adamant to snatch the provincial leadership from the ANC after the May election. The EFF Commander in Chief, Julius Malema received a warm reception in Ribacross village outside Burgersfort, during the party’s manifesto launch on Saturday.

The launch, which was characterised by songs and dancing was attended by more than 5 000 people, mainly from communities ravaged by poverty along the chrome and platinum mines scattered in Burgersfort.

Young and old alike, people came from Jane Furse, Mable Hall, Groblersdal, Moutse, Tzaneen, Phalaborwa, Giyani Venda, Bela-Bela, Mookgophong and Polokwane to listen to Malema speak during the launch. CV spoke to a few voices just before the rally.

South Africa National Civic Organisation (Sanco), Jeffrey Matome Madia, a Malema staunch supporter and an EFF activist in Tzaneen had this to say about the EFF under the tutelage of Malema: “The EFF is the only political party in Limpopo capable of changing the lives of the poorest of the poor for the better.”

Sanco, as it is affectionately known in political circles said if elected into power, the EFF will work hard to run all municipalities and fight the existing maladministration, nepotism, regionalism, tribalism, cadre deployment, sex for jobs and jobs for friends that is in practice in all government departments and municipalities across the country.

Delivering his speech at the venue, Malema accused the ANC of sleeping on the job and reneging on its promises for a better life for all. The vocal leader said the community of Sekhukhune was among the poorest in the country, despite the fact that they are sitting on fertile land, also rich with minerals.

He told the jubilant crowd that Limpopo and Burgersfort in particular was rated among the poorest provinces in the country but yet the province was rich in agriculture and minerals.

“Today you are among the poorest of the poor in the country, but yet you are sitting on fertile soil with rich minerals. Most of you have platinum but you don’t have water. Many communities in this area are still drinking the same water used by wild animals, 25 years after democracy,” he said.

“The only water available is found in the mines. Communities only received water in dribs and drabs. You were promised basic human services during the previous election, but yet your lives have not changed.

“That is why you must think carefully before you put your cross on the ballot paper when going to the polls in May,” said Malema.

Malema said it was disheartening to realise that most of the residents in Sekhukhune still had no electricity in their houses.

“The electricity available cannot be trusted. But the EFF can assure you that after the election your problems will become a thing of the past,” said Malema to thunderous applause from the virtually elated crowd.

Malema also told the residents the expropriation of land without compensation was not a mirage, but a reality. He said people of Sekhukhune are farmers by birth. He said the region; especially in the Groblersdal and Marble Hall areas are rich with agricultural soil. He said if elected into power, the EFF would ensure everyone had land to work on.

He said the EFF would also ensure people become employers on the land instead of employees. He said today the ANC claims it gave you free education.

“They usually do that in January in front of the cameras.

The EFF will give you a real free education. We will buy your school uniform, school shoes and stationery,” he added.

A 65-year-old pensioner, Thalaza Frans Molewa from Bolobedu said he will only vote for the ANC, because it was the party of Mandela.

“But the majority of young people said the EFF is a symbol of a better future.”

capvoice@nmgroup.co.za