Johannesburg - A festival for the poor. That’s how the national spokesperson for the EFF on Thursday described his party’s manifesto launch rally on Saturday, ahead of the August local government elections.
“We must make sure the many masses of our people, EFF members and community members, are paid attention to on Saturday,” said Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, where a team of workers were assembling the stage that party leader Julius Malema will mount.
“This is the festival of the poor. Every time the EFF does an event, it’s the festival of the poor,” Ndlozi told a group of reporters. “Our people come to affirm the Economic Freedom Fighters.”
Two weeks ago, the ANC launched its manifesto in Nelson Mandela Bay to a partly filled stadium, while the DA last week drew 20 000 supporters to the Rand Stadium, which has a capacity of 30 000.
Ndlozi appeared reluctant to pin a figure on the number of supporters the manifesto launch was expected to draw.
“We’re expecting thousands,” he said, looking out at the stadium, which can accommodate 40 000.
“This is a historic launch, because it’s the first time the EFF will be participating in the local government elections.”
Smiling, he maintained his was the only party in town.
Watch: Al Jazeera's interview with Malema
“There’s nothing new except the EFF. Whether we started launching first or after, we’re the hot thing here. We’re the only different thing that’s going to happen to these elections. The EFF is something the country wants, ideologically and every other wise.”
When the EFF contested the national elections in 2014, it was just eight months old.
The EFF would not reveal its mayoral candidates yet as they had not been determined. “We have councillor nominations, and as soon as that process is included, as and when we take a municipality, out of those we’ll take a candidate.”
Supporters, Ndlozi said, would be singing Nkosi Sikeleli iAfrika without Die Stem, which was a symbol of oppression.
Ndlozi joked that the party would not be launching its “armed struggle” on Saturday but later warned: “Whoever is thinking they will sabotage this event, we’re ready. We will respond appropriately.”
The Star