Just as the African National Congress -ANC plans to present a preview of the party’s manifesto, ahead of its Monday launch in Tshwane on Monday, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters -EFF also known as the ‘Ret Berets” Julius Malema said the ground is fertile for an EFF takeover as most South Africans had reached a point of frustration following the continued failings of the ruling party.
Malema, while addressing thousands of supporters during the launch of its 2021 elections manifesto held at Gandhi Square in the Johannesburg central Business District on Sunday promised South Africans that should the EFF be voted into power it would conduct land audits, redistribute land and introduce a wealth tax to subsidize indigent families among other things.
The “Red Berets” leader also promised to look into irregular appointments being perpetuated by authorities responsible for local government oversight and vowed to rid municipalities of improperly hired staff members as it is committed to a clean and competent governance should it be elected.
The manifesto launch which coincided with the unveiling of EFF’s new head office named after late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is expected to be the springboard for all the party’s affairs.
EFF’s Sunday launch of its manifesto ahead of the local government elections on the 1st of November was also used to marked what would have been Winnie’s 85th birthday.
Among other things, promised by Malema is to make EFF a safe place for women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community while also saying that the party would endeavour to abolish tenders and insourcing, build a fire station and sub station in every municipality, build new houses and suburbs while clinics within municipalities would have two ambulances with old equipment replaced as well as protecting street vendors and giving women 50% access to land and jobs.
Malema also stipulated the following manifesto commitments:
LAND
– Property wealth tax to subsidize poor families
– Every EFF municipality will have clear town planning programmes, land audits for land ownership for redistribution to the landless, its own municipal land reform plan with targets to ensure access for land, urban agriculture and black industrial activities
– EFF-run municipalities will formalise all informal settlements under its jurisdiction and ensure they are proper zones
– Municipal-owned abattoirs to source, produce from largely black-owned enterprises
– It will have a land and agricultural directory for business planning and marketing assistance
– A fresh produce market for small scale producers, 50% minimum for women and youth
– Land rezoned for agricultural activities
– Food needs will come from emerging farmers
– New recycling plant by 2023
– Allocate land for burials and expropriate land for burial sites (Hamman kraal and Soweto)
– Change bylaws to force property owners to make provision for student accommodation
