EFF TO BE LAUNCHED AS PARTY TODAY
EXPELLED ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema is to announce the formation of his political party today, after weeks of mobilising youth and disgruntled ANC members.
The transition of Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) would not be surprising following a survey by a consumer insight company that the majority of youths in the country were dissatisfied with the ANC and would support Malema should he form a new party.
Malema, who calls himself the commander-in-chief of the EFF, will today also reveal if the party will contest next year ’ s elections.
The EFF twitter account, @EconomicFreedomZA, gained thousands of followers a few days after Malema announced his new initiative, and the numbers stood at almost 11 000 followers yesterday.
Eager supporters like @SandileKholwane tweeted, “we cant wait for the launch, the policy conference and election campaigning.”
Malema’s announcement will be preceded by a roadshow this weekend at Sasolburg in Free State.
Malema, who recently welcomed socialite Kenny Kunene to the EFF, will be flanked by a team of “fighters”, who will then introduce the interim provincial leaders and the EFF’s plan on moving towards the National Assembly.
Malema has claimed that senior ANC officials were in his corner, helping him in his new venture. He said the officials would only raise their hands when the time was right.
“Some of them have opted for the strategy of insulting us so that they protect themselves so they don’t appear as if they are part of us,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Mpho Ramakatsa, who stirred a storm in the ruling party when he launched a successful court bid to nullify and reconvene last year ’ s Free State elective conference, has chosen to partner with Malema.
Yesterday, Ramakatsa refused to comment about partnering with Malema.
He also declined to say whether he will give up his fight with the ruling party.
“I cannot comment about those things as they are linked. We will make all announcements tomorrow (today).”
Ramakatsa was in May reported to have joined a new splinter party, South Africa First (SAF), which was formed by a faction of former members of the ANC military wing uMkhonto weSizwe.
But yesterday he denied this. –