How many votes Julius Malema and the EFF expects to win next month
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has told City Press of the party’s political ambition in the upcoming municipal elections, in August.
Malema said that the EFF hopes to at least triple the 6% share of the vote garnered in the 2014 general elections, come 3 August 2016.
“If we get less than what we got in 2014, we must forget about 2019. We will not be a player in 2019. But if we triple those numbers and increase significantly, then come 2019, we are the biggest players in the political space … That is the only scientific thing that will build people’s confidence in the EFF,” Malema said.
Read: ANC could lose two major metros in the 2016 elections: research
The EFF’s campaign has a strong focus on Limpopo, where it is targeting several
municipalities, including the provincial capital Polokwane.
According to the City Press, the political party also sees an opportunity in KwaZulu-Natal, amid divisions in the ANC’s ranks.
“Durban [eThekwini municipality] will shock a lot of people because there is no concentration on Durban and the ANC is in tatters there”.
“It is dysfunctional and a lot of people are leaving the ANC. Former councillors are disgruntled with the ANC.” Malema said.
In April, Malema told Al Jazeera: “We want to take this country by 2019.”
“If we don’t take this country by 2019, we must be an official opposition, with a clear direction of taking over power. We are a government in waiting.”
Malema said that the EFF could see itself aligning with the DA. “We can work with the DA, we can work with the UDM, we can work with anyone who wants to restore the dignity of black people,” Malema said.
The politician however dismissed the DA at a rally in Polokwane this week. “There are only two bulls in the South African political space: one called the ANC, [which is] old and tired; and a new, energetic and productive one called the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). You should want to vote for the younger one,” Malema said.
He reiterated his call that the EFF is open to coalitions with anyone – except the ANC.
“When the people put the ANC at below 50%, that was a loud whispering to the party that they do not want it. So why should we bring it in through a back door? We would be undermining the will of the people [by doing so],” Malema said.
“If you give us one municipality, it will be good because we will put all of our concentration there and run it in an exceptionally proper way,” the controversial politician said.
Read the full article in the City Press – 24 July 2016 edition.
More on politics
We will arrest Zuma if we’re elected: Malema
Watch: We want to take this country by 2019 – Malema
Loading ...