The Economic Freedom Fighters has been registered as a political party with the Independent Electoral Commission.
“The registration of EFF... is a historic moment and the beginning of a real radical, militant, and decisive political programme which will lead to real emancipation of the people of South Africa, Africa, and the world,” EFF leader Julius Malema said on Thursday.
Malema said the approval meant the party would contest the general elections in 2014, and win.
“(The) EFF will be contesting elections in order to be government, not in order to be toothless opposition party in various parliaments and legislatures.”
IEC spokeswoman Lydia Young confirmed the registration.
“Yes, they have been registered,” she said in an e-mail.
Malema said South Africans could now breath a “sigh of relief” as his “giant movement” was an option. Other political parties, he claimed, had failed to transform the country.
“The people of Africa should appreciate that now a movement of the people which will champion the interests of the African people, including through leading an aggressive economic decolonisation programme through massive development and industrialisation, will soon be (the) government of South Africa.
“The oppressed and exploited people of the world should now expect real anti-imperialist actions and (a) political programme which will practically and programmatically undermine neo-liberalism and global capitalism.”
Malema said the EFF was aware of its obligations and responsibilities and would carry them out with “military precision”.
“These are obligations and the responsibility to equally redistribute South Africa and Africa's wealth to the people as a whole.
“Land will be shared equitably among the people, mines will be nationalised, free quality education, health care and sanitation will be provided.”
He said the “African economy” would be developed, South Africa would be industrialised, and corruption would be eliminated under an EFF government.
Malema himself faces corruption charges in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court for allegedly making nearly R4 million from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10 000.
Sapa