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On the 30th of April 2016 skeptics were once again alerted by the growing popularity of The Economic Freedom Front(EFF), launching it municipal election manifesto at Orlando stadium , the revolutionary movement managed to sit an estimated 40000 supporters in the packed football venue. The outcome took many by surprise, and with the party's militant style approach, it certainly shook the nerves of those pondering what could become of South Africa if the party ever came to power.
For those of us who witnessed the process of the country's transition from minority rule to democracy, the EEF's tone is not one we would wish South Africans to become accustomed to . The legacy of Nelson Mandela should never die and South Africans should take pride in their ability to use dialogue in times of political discord.
But it's becoming apparent that many citizens of the rainbow nation no longer feel this way as not enough seem to deter the EFF's fast growing membership . Even the televised statement by the party's leader Juluis Malema just weeks before the manifesto launch, that he was prepared to use force in a bid to overthrow The African National Congress (ANC) government, did little to wane down the number of supporters, as the attendance at Orlando Stadium would indicate.
Over the years , people and most importantly leaders within the ANC have undermined the influence of the EFF, in the same way they also seem to have undermined the level of public anger caused by government not delivering on it promises . Now with an ever increasing support base, the EFF is capitalising on the ANC's failure. The number of South Africans frustrated by the ruling party's poor governance far outnumber the number of those who have express their fear of the EFF.
When looking at the EFF one cannot help but see a resemblance of a particular sector of South African society; the unemployed , the poor and those disadvantaged by the slow pace of transformation. In the last 22 years of democracy the ANC has turned it back on the concern and plight of this particular group of society and it's now paying the price. When violent protests such as that of service delivery reigned in townships and streets across the country , it was a call for the government to communicate with the mass and prioritise on making local government more accountable and efficient . The state's response of using force to quell what it interpreted as criminal behavior by opportunistic elements , only isolated members of the communities and led to some voters searching for an alternative movement .
This is where the EFF discovered it niche and his exploiting it. The party with it youthful and fierce representation managed to captured the minds and sentiments of this particular electorate and have used that to drive its policy and build its organisation. The party has invested resources in engaging with the people at the grassroots level , the people whose views and demands have been alienated , interestingly those are the people who form part of the majority in South Africa.
And while it endeavours to connect with it found constituent the EFF have used every opportunity avail to them to expose the corruption and mismanagement within the ruling party in the manner that will appeal to it members. The humiliation endured by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini after insults were hailed at her by a crowd of township dwellers in Nelson Mandela Bay, who accused her of being drunk from drinking expensive whiskey , reminds one of how the EFF carries itself in parliament, especially when confronting South African President Jacob Zuma and members of his cabinet. When the EFF speaks in parliament ,finger pointing and name calling takes toll as some members in the House looses their cool over the party's scathing criticism . But for the EFF this has been another measure taken by orgarnisation to consolidate its support base , ensuring that the character of its followers is reflected within the party .
The point made by analysts that the EFF and it ambitious policy posses a threat to the country's stability is very much valid , the are worries that the party's intention to bring land under state ownership if it comes to power could lead the country in the path of Zimbabwe, whose economy has failed to recover ever since President Robert Mugabe allowed the forceful seizure of land from white farmers. But most EFF supporters lack the knowledge capacity to explore this negative impact. They are more excited about the fact that, here comes a new black party which will ( supposedly) finally deliver on what was promised to them after the end of apartheid . For that only the ANC can be blamed.
