Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The leader of South Africa’s third-largest political party, Julius Malema, addressed a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, February 10, during the launch of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) election manifesto. Malema reaffirmed his solidarity with the people of Palestine and expressed support for Russia, alleging that “NATO is disguising as Ukraine.”
Addressing the crowd, Malema commended the South African people for their steadfast support of Palestine, condemning apartheid Israel. He asserted that both Russia and Palestine are homes to the EFF, underlining the party’s solidarity with these nations. This statement emphasizes the EFF’s stance on international solidarity and aligns with Malema’s vocal criticism of Israeli policies. By expressing support for both Russia and Palestine, Malema reinforces the party’s commitment to global justice and highlights the interconnectedness of struggles against oppression worldwide. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “warlord,” attributing responsibility for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians during military campaigns in Gaza to him.
The EFF’s manifesto emphasizes land redistribution and addressing the country’s electricity crisis as top priorities, with the slogan “Jobs and land now! Stop load-shedding” reflecting these concerns. The party’s radical policies, including land expropriation and nationalization of key industries, have garnered popularity, particularly among disenchanted youth.
Emerging from his tenure as a leader of the African National Congress (ANC) youth wing, Malema has become a prominent critic of both the ruling party and President Cyril Ramaphosa. In the 2019 elections, the EFF garnered 10% of the national vote, solidifying its position as the third-largest opposition party in the country.
Malema pledged to end power blackouts, create jobs through initiatives such as social housing and infrastructure development, and crack down on corruption by prosecuting implicated politicians and public servants. Additionally, he vowed to introduce incentives for law enforcement to combat the country’s high crime rates.
