The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are gearing up for their election campaign as they prepare to launch their manifesto in eThekwini. Anticipation is high, with a sea of red expected to pack the stadium to the rafters.
This launch comes on the heels of a recent Ipsos poll, which indicated that the EFF is on a growth trajectory and could potentially dislodge the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the official opposition.
Since its formation in 2013, the EFF’s support has steadily grown at the national level. In the 2014 national elections, the party received 6.35% of the vote, which increased to 10.80% in the 2019 elections.
At their manifesto launch in Pretoria in February 2019, the EFF made several promises, including the scrapping of the tender system, free and compulsory education from school to university, and the introduction of a minimum pass mark of 50% in schools.
During the 2021 local government elections, the EFF received 10.54% of the votes, an increase from 8.31% in the 2016 local government elections.
In their manifesto launch ahead of these elections, the EFF pledged to conduct land audits in municipalities under their control and distribute abandoned or unused land to the landless. They also committed to introducing a wealth tax and providing subsidies for the indigent.
The issue of land expropriation without compensation has been at the center of EFF policies, with the ANC in parliament voting against the motion in 2018.
Additionally, the EFF campaigned in 2019 to double the social grants received by millions of people, including those receiving old age, disability, child support, foster care, and other grants.
As the EFF prepares to launch their manifesto in eThekwini, they have set their sights on gaining more votes in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
In Gauteng, the party is currently in coalition with the ANC in two key metros, while they were previously in coalition with the IFP in several municipalities in KZN before a fallout occurred. The EFF’s goal is to gain control of these provinces.
With their promises of change and their focus on key issues such as land redistribution and social welfare, the EFF is hoping to make a significant impact in the upcoming national elections.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa is yet to announce the election date, all eyes are on the EFF as they rally support and strive for greater influence in South African politics.
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