Should We Be Taking Julius Malema's EFF Seriously?

Julius Malema, the expelled ANC Youth League president, was indicted in South Africa on corruption charges. Malema says the charges are politically motivated., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Jul 5 2013 3:54PM

Should we be taking Julius Malema’s EFF seriously?

Faith Mangope

As it should be in this hard earned democracy, there exist platforms for alternate thinking.

Entrenched in our Constitution is the freedom to associate with whomever we choose, so long as that association does not infringe upon the freedom and the rights of others.

It only takes one public political utterance from a disgruntled South African about anything from corruption to crime for one to fully appreciate this freedom we so greatly enjoy.

In how many African countries can the citizens publicly criticise the president and other top leaders – calling them derogatory names in some instances, without reprisal?

Perhaps one ought to adopt a reflective stance and for once give ourselves a pat on the back for having in place political systems that allow for the president to be the subject of satirical commentary.

Or are we becoming a society that will soon be enslaved by our own freedom? Case in point, the Economic Freedom Front (EFF).

I had the pleasure of talking to EFF members Kenny Kunene and Floyd Shivambu. The teaming up of a controversial businessman with the expelled spokesperson of the ANC Youth League requires some interrogation. Their aim was to form a forum with the mandate – among mothers – to achieve free education, nationalise mines and redistribute land – without compensation, I might add.

I couldn’t help wonder just how well thought out this plan was.

Are they that deluded about the state of South African politics that they would serve themselves up on a silver platter, with wasabi on the side, for ruling party scrutiny?

Then they divulged the plans for a national assembly earmarked for the end of July, with an anticipated attendance of more than 1000 people. They spoke of the drafting of policy documents by various influential South Africans.

Though that added to the interest, what was more intriguing was the blunt approach in identifying the ANC NEC members, as well as ministers in the Cabinet, who have allegedly expressed their allegiance to the formation of this alternative voice.

When asked if they feared harassment during the national assembly from those who would not want a Julius Malema spearheading such a forum, Kunene claimed that the secretary-general of the ANC had threatened to “deal with him”.

Some of the repercussions for developing this new, alternative concept, also included intimidation they had experienced, including threatening phone calls, e-mails and verbal attacks, they alleged.

Should this new entity be taken so seriously? Will young people be willing to side with a group comprising individuals as controversialas Malema, Kunene and Shivambu? Or is this just a momentary attempt at publicity by a group of individuals who so easily manage to get the media abuzz with anything they present to them?

Will the youth of South Africa truly look at this initiative as a means to reakise the slogan,“economic freedom in our lifetime”, or will it just be another here today, gone tomorrow shallow initiative?

Perhaps the answer to these questions lies in the response to the concept. Though the group of Julius Malema, Kenny Kunene, Floyd Shivambu, and Mpho Ramakatsa may appear to be the perfect mix of an entertaining reality show, what cannot be denied is their influence, and perhaps their ability to speak to the youth. That very sector of society is said to be the future of this nation.

Perhaps these men are too optimistic becoming the new, robust voice of the disenchanted youth making its way to the front of the political stage. Would we not be fools for ignoring it?

Faith Mangope is an anchor at YFM