EFF Marks 100 days since formation
04 November, 2013
Economic Freedom Fighters marks 100 days today since its formation on the 27 July, 2013 in Soweto. The EFF gathered in what was called the National Assembly on What is to be done? that took place in Uncle Tom's Hall, Soweto over two days. In this gathering over 1000 fighters from across the country discussed the generational question that had been posed taken the expulsion of the radical economic freedom program from the former liberation movement.
The central and key question appeared in the Clarion Call that the Commander in Chief, fighter Julius Malema posed on 11 June, 2013. The Clarion Call constituted an analysis of the political balance of forces and provided three options to what can happen with the radical program of economic freedom. First, do we become a Non-governmental organisation; second, do we become a platform or, third, do we become a political party and contest power.
Economic Freedom Fighters was thus formed as a political party that will contest power. In this conference, the EFF characterised itself as:
A radical and militant economic emancipation movement that brings together revolutionary, fearless, radical, and militant activists, workers' movements, nongovernmental organisations, community-based organisations and lobby groups under the umbrella of pursuing the struggle for economic emancipation
A radical, leftist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement with an internationalist outlook anchored by popular grassroots formations and struggles. The EFF will be the vanguard of community and workers' struggles and will always be on the side of the people. The EFF will, with determination and consistency, associate with the protest movement in South Africa and will also join in struggles that defy unjust laws.
Since its inception, EFF has gained popularity on the ground with people everywhere asking for its presence in their communities, campuses, workplaces, schools, fellowships and struggles. The EFF set out to establish branches in all of South Africa's wards with a view to be grounded in ordinary people's grassroots realities. After 100 days, EFF boats a presence in all regions of South Africa from Cape to Mosina, Upington to Ethekwini.
The spread of EFF has not happened without challenges. In many areas in the North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal, meetings of EFF are disrupted often if not all the time by ANC people. In addition, EFF members have become targets of harassments and political intolerance, at times violent death. Nevertheless, EFF stands and sees these as testimony of its just cause.
The EFF has had major events in these hundred days, beginning with its policy consultative conference that took place in Shaft 17, on 20th July, 2013 where fighters gathered to look at the draft documents; founding manifesto and the constitution.
EFF has also formed part of key campaigns and protests across the country; notable amongst these is the march to have the government fund the legal representation of the families of Marikana mineworkers who were massacred by the ANC. EFF has also had a march against the e-Tall, and participated in service delivery protests like in Forschville.
Upon taking a decision to register EFF as a political party that will contest in 2014 elections, EFF started a registration process with the Independent Electoral Commission which saw massive opposition from right wing Afrikaner groups. Despite these, the EIC approved EFF's application and registered it as a full on member of the South African political community to contest in all elections.
Following the registration, the EFF organised its launch in Marikana on the 13 October, 2013. In this launch, to the surprise of many, tens of thousands of people from across Rusternburg in particular came to witness the birth of the giant movement. Here, EFF took a vow to the fallen miners, massacred by the ANC government a year ago, to continue the economic emancipation struggle.
To this day, the hundredth day of its existence, EFF continues to attract revolutionaries who increasingly realise that the popular working class agenda now lies in EFF. EFF plans to diligently establish its presence in all corners of South African society, contest in next year's general elections with a view to become the government and implement the program of economic emancipation spelled out in the Soweto National Assembly on what is to be done.
EFF commends all fighters, from the Central Command Team to the Ward Command Teams for the powerful work done. EFF further calls for many more hundreds, thousands, and millions of days to be dedicated to the completion of the African revolution in a fearless, selfless and decisive way. Till economic freedom reigns from Cape to Cairo, Morocco to Madagascar, no fighter must rest.
All fighters are organisers and the establishment of EFF structures remains a paramount focus, including a vivid presence in popular grassroots struggles. With the speed of EFF's development in the past 100 days, there is no doubt that what others achieved in centuries, EFF will qualitatively and quantitatively achieve in 12 months.
Let there be the attainment of economic freedom in our lifetime, in the whole continent of Africa and the oppressed peoples of the world.
Mayibuye!
Issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, November 4 2013
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