THE advent of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party into the political scene of South Africa has made the political atmosphere a challenging and interesting one.
It was not only Malema, who launched his own party seven months ago. AgangSA was also launched by Mamphele Ramphele, former director at World Bank, who has proved to be a political novice despite her history as a former member of the Black Consciousness Movement formed by Steve Bantu Biko.
SA First was also launched by disgruntled ANC MK veterans who have cited lack of clarity within ANC.
Another party launched is Patriotic Alliance formed by robbers Gayton Mackenzie and his partner in crime Kenny Kunene.
These two robbers come as politicians after serving 15-year jail sentences for armed robbery.
Upon release, they became successful multi-millionaires.
The two have said they want to challenge DA in Cape Town because ANC has failed and in that process DA are doing as they wish.
There are more than 150 political parties in South Africa which are contesting elections come May 7 2014.
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) with a total membership of 350 000 said it will in time launch a political party called United Front and Movement for Socialism which would be aimed at uniting working class and mobilising issues affecting workers.
The leader of this organisation, secretary general Irvine Jim said leaders of liberation movements have failed to consistently radicalise a democratic process.
NUMSA is still a Cosatu affiliate and have refused to support ANC in this election.
They have withdrawn their financial support of R800 000 to ANC.
Gauteng Province, Cape Town and Polokwane home town of Cde Julius Malema are the most contested provinces, which all parties want to win them.
With so many parties it’s likely that there will be a coalition government in these provinces.
ANC is also likely to lose Gauteng province and a coalition might be on the cards.
Gauteng is proving to be anybody’s ground despite Cde Malema having an upper hand in terms of attendance at rallies.
In his speech at the launch of the EFF manifesto, Cde Julius Sello Malema said nationalisation of land without compensation and 60 percent share equity shall be taken from major banks which include, FnB, ABSA and NEDBANK.
Just three kilometres away from the EFF rally, ANC youth league organised a festival which they invited top notch musicians, but to their chagrin people did not attend, it was pathetic.
Cde Malema arrived in an S500 Mercedes Benz escorted by Metro corps in a convoy.
The EFF manifesto launch was attended by more than 60 000 people of whom many were young adults.
People came clad in red berets and red T-shirts, their party regalia.
It was a sea of red ants.
The leader of the EFF, who was wearing an overall, spoke at length reminding his ‘fighters’ that 20 years after democracy, people do not have water, electricity and South Africa is burning because of poor service delivery.
Cde Malema called his ‘fighters’ and the rest of the country to stop voting ANC into power since this was no-longer the ANC of their fathers.
The firebrand leader attacked President Jacob Zuma saying he is corrupt and asked how one can build a cattle kraal for R1million.
The EFF manifesto drew much applause and support from many quarters because of its pro-poor, free education and its stance on the land issue and the economy which is not benefitting the majority.
The highly attended manifesto launch was like the star rallies which were being held by President Mugabe last year before the July 31 2013 elections.
The question, however, is: Is the support which Cde Malema receiving going to be translated into votes?
Despite corruption and fraud charges being levelled against him, Cde Malema has remained the darling of many South Africans especially the down trodden. Another charge of driving at high speed was dropped and another further charge was promulgated of road rage in his home town of Polokwane.
Meanwhile, the EFF and the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania better known as PAC have signed a memorandum of understanding, highlighting the need to have joint rallies and coalition if the need arises.
Cde Malema also extended his hand to his former political enemy, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP) emphasising the need to work together.
During his hey days at ANC, Cde Malema once insulted the Zulu Chief that he was a factory fault that’s why he left ANC in 1975 to form his own party IFP.
He apologised to the old man and promised to work together to remove the ANC.