Malema’s party admits working with NEFF

AFTER denying any links with the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema’s party, the Economic Freedom Fighters last week admitted that they were working together.

Three EFF parliamentarians – Mpho Ramakatsa, Magdalene Moonsamy and Andile Mngxitama – attended the NEFF manifesto launch on Saturday at the UN Plaza in Katutura, Windhoek.

The three were briefly held at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Friday because they did not have work permits but were later allowed to enter the country.

“We had a very good reception here for two hours,” said Ramakatsa, when they were finally allowed through and later posted a photo on Twitter captioned: “political prisoners in Namibia”.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said she was not aware of the three members of parliament being held at the airport.

Immigration permanent secretary Patrick Nandago told The Namibian on Friday that the government demands visas from foreigners coming to work in Namibia and EFF members were supposed to have visas if they were planning to address people at the rally.

Ramakatsa endorsed the NEFF for the first time since the Namibian party was formed, saying they came to deliver a speech from Malema.

Although it was initially said that Malema would be coming, Ramakatsa said the party had deployed him “in other levels of struggles in South Africa”.

“He decided I lead this struggle. Our presence here is not only to endorse NEFF but to say Namibia, the time has arrived to decide your future,” Ramakatsa told the more than 100 people who attended the launch.

Ramakatsa said most ruling parties in Africa, like the ANC, have ushered in political freedom but abandoned the economic struggle after running out of ideas and being swallowed by capitalism.

“We can’t eat history. They claim they have delivered political freedom but the struggle is not complete without economic freedom,” he said.

The EFF members visited some informal settlements in Windhoek, and told the people they should choose to say “enough is enough” or “you remain with the status quo”.

He urged the NEFF not to wait until they take over government saying: “You need to start now and listen to the people. Knock on the doors of the ruling party and force them to change our people’s lives for the better.”

NEFF president Epafras Mukwiilongo promised radical reforms in sectors such as health, labour, education, housing and spoke of initiatives that are meant to beef up social grants and reduce the high unemployment rate.

Mukwiilongo vowed to nationalise all mines in the country if they take over the government after the upcoming elections to curb inequality, and enhance democratic and socialised ownership and control of the means of production by workers and the Namibian people.

He also promised to increase social grants for elders and people living with disabilities to N$1 200 per month, war veterans to N$4 400 and child support to N$500. NEFF pledged to provide houses to everyone. The party, which promises to create jobs for everyone by 2020, said young people are being lured into homosexual activities because of poverty. “The manifesto represents the aspirations of the working class and the poor and provides an alternative vision and is the solution for total radical freedom for Namibians.

“NEFF’s manifesto takes account of the reality that there is enough wealth for everybody in Namibia. Currently, this wealth is spread in a deeply unequal manner, due to the greediness of the ruling elite,” Mukwiilongo said.

NEFF spokesperson Olsen Kahiriri was pleased with the attendance. “Our people should divide their priorities. The attendance was exceptionally well considering that there is an international event at the Sam Nujoma stadium and yet people came here.”