The EFF marks 25 years of Nelson Mandela's release from prison
11 February 2015
The Economic Freedom Fighters marks 25 years anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison on this day. This day represented great political hope for a better life for many of our people who had suffered exclusion and exploitation under the apartheid regime. It must remind us of the power a government can use to disarm a people of its leaders with the aim of depriving them of political direction, guidance and hope.
This is particularly crucial because 25 years after Mandela walked out of prison, the country faces an even deeper leadership crisis, characterised by directionlessness. The historic need of our times is economic freedom to liberate our people from homelessness, hunger, illiteracy, and lack of basic services such as water, sanitation, healthcare and electricity.
Nelson Mandela's walk out of prison came with the unbanning of political parties who had been forced into exile by the intolerant and murderous white minority regime. The EFF marks this day as the anniversary of the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, the right to politically organise without fear of state intimidation in any form.
We do this even as we face threats of police brutality, simply for wanting to ask questions to the President of the Republic of South Africa. However, like Nelson Mandela who today, 25 years ago defeated the white minority rule, we remain fearless in the conviction that our government must be held accountable.