Local party apes Malema’s EFF

A new political party, styled along the lines of controversial South African politician Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been launched in Namibia. The new political formation called the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has even aped Malema’s red berets and features the same logo as the EFF, which in May gained over one million votes in the South African general elections. The EFF has 25 seats in that country’s parliament, making it the third biggest party in South Africa. The launch of the NEFF yesterday came months after Malema’s party indicated to Namibian Sun that the youth firebrand was set to visit Namibia and several other African countries to meet with local like-minded political formations. NEFF ‘commander-in-chief’ Epafras Mukwiilongo confirmed they had been in South Africa for three weeks, where they met with Malema and his team, before launching their party yesterday at Hosea Kutako International Airport. With just about five months to go before the general elections, the NEFF now aims to register with the Electoral Commission of Namibia so it can take part. “That is our sister party. That is our sister,” was all Mukwiilongo said when pressed about the NEFF’s consultations with the EFF. Neither Malema nor EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi could be reached for comment yesterday. Mukwiilongo said the launch of the NEFF was “the birth of a giant to champion and fight for economic freedom of Namibians”. “Today the nation, continent and the world must know that Namibian politics will never be the same.” Mukwiilongo, a northern businessman, said “enough is enough” and the Swapo-led government had failed to deliver economic freedom. “There is no party in the current political dispensation advocating for the ownership of the means of production by the Namibian working class or economic emancipation of the Namibian nation.” He added that Namibia is a rich country and policies need to be developed to safeguard the interests of its citizens and the country as a whole. “Instead our government is busy empowering Chinese and Indians to destroy our local businesspeople... The government of the day has passed a mining act which promotes, protects and gives access of our mining resources to foreigners at the expense of the Namibian nation.” Mukwiilongo mentioned retail and construction as sectors in which foreigners were being favoured. He also took a swipe at Namibian’s homosexual community, charging that their sexual behaviour was taboo and “foreign”. “The country is facing a major challenge with regard to homosexual practices. Namibia is a country with respect culturally and thus our freedom was attained not to liberate homosexuality, but to celebrate and enjoy peace.” During his interview with Namibian Sun in May, Malema advised Namibians to own their resources and take ownership of all their resources so that local people can benefit. Malema, who had previously been the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League poster child, is now known as a thorn in the flesh of the South African ruling party. He consistently has been calling for the nationalisation of South African mines and banks. “We are aware that our struggle for economic freedom is not only for South Africa alone. Africa shares the struggle for economic freedom. Africa is not economically independent.” Malema told Namibian Sun at the time.