You have heard it said that a vote for anyone other than the ANC is a vote well spent. Well-intentioned as it may be, that isn’t technically true. For example, a vote for the Economic Freedom Fighters is worse than voting for the ANC, in spite of all the damage the ruling party has done to South Africa over the last 29 years.
Unlike the ANC, who once upon a time were freedom fighters seeking to give the people of South Africa their freedom, the EFF has no such history. Self-serving and willing to harm the economy if it is a means to an end, people must understand that this party could potentially collapse the country.
Beguiled by empty promises of a prosperous job sector and thriving economy – also including the dangling carrot of vast areas of land -, the EFF has managed to get the attention of the youth in the country. They’re frustrated, unemployed and Julius has lent them a deaf ear.
So, what would a South Africa under EFF leadership look like?
First, all foreign investment would dry up. Not in a matter of years but likely in a shorter span of time, leaving South Africa in a spot of bother. Nor would the country be able to borrow money from international lenders. Turns out communist countries aren’t the best at paying back loans.
Why would anyone want a government who supports communism quite as fervently as the EFF does? The economic model has been tried and tested countless times and leads always to rampant poverty, record-breaking inflation and eventually gives rise to dictatorships. From that view point I can see why Julius so badly wants to be president.
Everyone knows that governments need to foster a good working relationship with the private sectors. Together the two can drive entrepreneurship, create jobs, and bolster the economy. Especially important is the improvement in service delivery when the private and public sector share a healthy relationship. But the EFF has an even worse relationship with the private sector than the ANC does.
Whatever is one supposed to make of Julius’s loath of the judiciary? Undermining the rule of law and expressing complete disdain for the constitution should be a prescient warning that his tolerance for the law will only erode further. Even Zuma waited till his presidency before showing the judiciary his middle finger.
One must also wonder about the EFF’s commitment to curbing corruption. Julius and other party members were embroiled in the VBS scandal, and no evidence suggesting they were erroneously framed has emerged. And if you don’t believe Malema unlawfully benefitted from VBS, then explain why before going to sleep, Julius checks under his bed for Pauli Van Wyk?
At its very core, the EFF comprises disgruntled ANC supporters. What assurance do South Africans have that the party won’t emulate Zuma by filling critical positions in the state with corrupted allies?
Last month the EFF announced that should it win the election in 2024, it vows to fund the antisemitic terrorist group Hamas. There exists a stark resemblance between Julius and his infamous German counterpart. The only obvious difference is the Führer had slightly better posture and could probably spell fascist.
Irrespective of which party governs South Africa, it is important to create a spirit of unity and bring people together. Populist politics seeking to create division between races including the haves and have-nots can only be catastrophic for the development and prosperity of any country.
Having watched the political pundits’ debates on television and make their cases for why the EFF should be the next party after the ANC to govern South Africa, frankly it would make more sense if you just admitted that you want to see the country burn.