Johannesburg - Members of the EFF gathered at Maponya Mall in Soweto ahead of visiting Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to pay tribute to her ex-husband, former president Nelson Mandela, on Sunday.
The party's Gauteng provincial command team wore their signature red T-shirts and berets. About 100 of them stood in small groups in the parking area, music playing from their cars. Some sat on camping chairs drinking soft drinks, while others ate.
Economic Freedom Fighters stickers adorned the cars and berets were on sale.
“From here we will have a convoy to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's house to pass our condolences and message of support,” provincial convenor Mgcini Tshwaku said.
He said Madikizela-Mandela lost her husband three times.
“First was when he went to prison, when they divorced, and now.”
She was banned and banished to Brandfort in the Free State for her opposition to apartheid and for lobbying for her then-husband to be released from prison.
The party's members sang freedom songs about Mandela and Madikizela-Mandela as they prepare leave.
“Hake hopola Winnie le Mandela ke hlakana hlooho,” they sang in SeTswana, meaning “when I think of Winnie and Mandela I go crazy”.
Shoppers stood and watched. - Sapa