ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS NATIONAL CENTRAL COMMAND PRESS STATEMENT:
11 July 2013
The National Central Command Team of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held its 1st representative meeting at the 17 Shaft Conference Centre in Johannesburg on the 10th of July 2013. The meeting had representatives from all the 9 Provinces of South Africa, fraternal organisations and progressive Activists who associate with the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime. We are addressing the media here at Constitution Hill, which is a symbol of South Africa's political emancipation, which we as Economic Freedom Fighters believe should be elevated through concrete programmes to economic emancipation.
The meeting is a result of the clarion call we made on the 11th of June 2013 that all Economic Freedom Fighters should stand up to answer the question of WHAT IS TO BE DONE? Since the clarion call, thousands of progressive Economic Freedom Fighters, Non-governmental organisations, youth, workers, traditional leaders, Activists, Movements, Non-Profit organisations, political parties, churches, Intellectuals, Academics, Students, Traditional Chiefs, Headmen and Kings, Independent Councillors, Internationalists, and many others have responded to the clarion call and gave definite answers on WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
It is no secret that an absolute majority of all those who have responded are saying that Economic Freedom Fighters should be a radical, Left, and anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist Movement with an internationalist outlook that should contest elections in South Africa. Because Economic Freedom Fighters is led by organic and democratic revolutionary foot soldiers, Volunteers and Organisers, we took a decision that a decision to found a political Movement that will contest elections cannot and should not be taken by few individuals in a haphazard way.
We have since the clarion call on WHAT IS TO BE DONE? Constituted Provincial Central Command teams whose role and focus will be constitution of regional, sub-regional and ward based central command structures in preparation for a the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE.
The NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE will be the platform that takes the decision and resolve on the option of founding a Movement that will contest elections, agree on the Constitution, the Colours, Logo, and adopt a Founding Manifesto, which will be the core of the politics and programmes of EFF towards the 2014 general elections. Membership forms, the website, paraphernalia and physical addresses of Economic Freedom Fighters will be unleashed and announced immediately after the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE.
The character of Economic Freedom Fighters will be that of a radical, Left, and anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist Movement with an internationalist outlook anchored by popular grassroots formations and struggles. EFF will be the vanguard of community and workers' struggles and will always be on the side of the people. EFF will with determination and consistency, associate with the protest movement in South Africa, and will also join in struggles that defy unjust laws. EFF also embrace the radical (not the neo-liberal) interpretation of the Freedom Charter, which says South Africa should belong to all who live in it through equal distribution of South Africa's wealth and heritage.
Economic Freedom Fighters also embrace the following values and principles:
- Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.
- Non-racialism and non-sexism.
- Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a multi-party system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.
The NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE will happen on the 26th and 27th of July 2013 in Soweto, and all Provinces will be represented with delegations selected from all regions, sub-regions, and wards of EFF. The NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE will also be attended by progressive formations from across South Africa, NGOs, and independent political parties at local and provincial levels. We call all Economic Freedom Fighters from the African continent, the African Diaspora and progressive internationalists who wish to attend the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE to bring to our attention the interest to attend.
Draft Policy documents and perspectives towards the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE will be made public after the National Policy Dialogue, which will happen on the 19th of July 2013. All South Africans will be afforded an opportunity to input on the policies drafted as means to achieve the Pillars for economic freedom in our lifetime. The key non-negotiable Pillars for economic freedom in our lifetime are the following:
1. Expropriation of South Africa's land without compensation for equal redistribution.
2. Nationalisation of Mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy, without compensation.
3. Building State and government capacity, which will lead to abolishment of Tenders.
4. Free quality education, healthcare, houses, and sanitation.
5. Massive protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs including Introduction of minimum wages in order to close the wage gap between the rich and the poor.
6. Massive development of the African economy and advocating for a move from reconciliation to justice in the entire continent.
7. Open, accountable, corrupt-free government and society without fear of victimisation by State agencies.
The NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE will discuss the best models and process of how soon and how best do we realise these pillars. All members of society will have access to the draft policy documents before the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE, and deliberations in this platform will be amongst other things be informed by contributions from all people in South Africa, Africa and the world.
We are here to announce the leaders of all Provincial Central Command teams, and the core of the National Command Team that will lead Economic Freedom Fighters to the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
Commander in Chief and National Convenor: Cde Julius Malema
National Co-ordinator: Cde Mpho Ramakatsa
Members of the National Central Command Team:
1. Floyd Shivambu
2. Kenny Kunene
3. Sam Tshabalala
4. Fana Mokoena
5. Leigh Ann
6. Pabane Moteka
7. Hlayiseka Chawane
8. Sipho Mbatha
9. Mandisa Makesini
10. Hlengiwe Hlophe
Provincial Central Command Teams:
1. Gauteng
a. Convenor-Pule Matshithse
b. Co-ordinators-Parks Khaiyane and Lufuno Gogoro
2. KwaZulu Natal
a. Convenor-Reggie Ngcobo
b. Co-ordinator-Nathi Phewu
3. Free State
a. Convenor-Sam Matiase
b. Co-ordinator-Willy Tshabalala
4. Northern Cape
a. Convenor-Mbuyiselo Matebus
b. Co-ordinator-Adri Noble
5. Limpopo
a. Convenor-Michael Mathebe
b. Co-ordinator-George Raphela
6. Western Cape
a. Convenor-Gcobani Nozongana
b. Co-ordinator-Lephallo Mahoto
7. Eastern Cape
a. Convenor-Themba Kiro
b. Co-ordinator-Pumza Ntobongwana
8. Mpumalanga
a. Convenor-Ayanda Tshabalala
b. Co-ordinator-Dumisani Ncongwane
9. North West
a. Convenor-Alfred Motsi
b. Co-ordinator-Papiki Babuile
All these Convenors and Co-ordinators are operating within a collective of Provincial Command Teams of 10 Members each. These are comrades and Fighters whose immediate task is establishment of Regional Command Teams, Sub-regional command teams, Ward command teams and selection of representative delegates to the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WHAT IS TO BE DONE.
On Saturday, the 13th of July, EFF will hold Consultative Mass Meetings in the Vaal and in Sasolburg. Details in this regard will be communicated on a separate statement.
On Monday, the 15th of July, EFF will officially announce the National Spokesperson and head of communications, who will handle all media enquiries and communication concerning EFF matters. Volunteers who have responded via social media and email addresses will be contacted by their respective Provincial leadership collectives. Mass rallies and meetings will happen in all communities until the 2014 General Elections and beyond.
Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, July 11 2013
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