EFF supporters at a mini rally in Mfuleni. Photo: Pharie Sefali.
14 March 2014
At a rally in Mfuleni on Thursday 13 March, residents booed local leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). They said they had been promised EFF leader Julius Malema would address them.
More than 300 people pitched up at the stadium in Mfuleni. Western Cape leaders of the EFF came wearing red uniforms and singing songs.
One song in Xhosa called on “Juju” (Malema) to kick out Helen Zille, the Western Cape Premier. Some EFF leaders shouted, “Run Zille run!”
Fifteen minutes after the opening of the event, people were shouting that they wanted to see Malema.
Veronica Mente, co-ordinator of the EFF Western Cape, told the crowd Malema would be in Khayelitsha the next day.
“We are here today to introduce EFF to Mfuleni and to teach you more about the organisation and its leaders. But if you want to see Malema, you have to come to the manifesto in Khayelitsha.”
People then started to boo.
A member of EFF explained there was a misunderstanding and called on the crowd to sit down and listen. But most people started to leave.
Some said the rally was a waste of time if Malema was not there to speak to them. Less than 100 people were left behind of which many were children.
Mente spoke to those remaining. She said the mandate of the EFF was to bring back the dignity of black people, give back the land to their rightful owners, and that people should be given big houses not matchboxes.
People were given the chance to ask questions.
Nosipho Nkanja, a resident of Mfuleni, said, “It’s a pity that your leaders are not here because this would have made sense. What if we vote for you, but when you are in parliament you [will] forget about us and be like [all] other political parties and spend money for yourselves.”
Another resident, a teacher, said that EFF promises were impossible to achieve. “We are currently getting 5% increase on salary as teachers. EFF promises more than 8% when they are in power. Don’t you think that is impossible?” she asked.
Mente said there will be policies put together as guidelines on how to reach those promises.
Most people left before the rally ended, disappointed that Malema wasn’t there.
The rally ended within an hour with people in red berets singing freedom songs.