Cape Town – The president of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Vuyo Zungula, has expressed support for like-minded parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), in their efforts to improve the lives of Black Africans in South Africa.
EFF supporters on Saturday adorned the Moses Mabhida Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with the party’s distinctive red colours as the party launched its electoral campaign ahead of a hotly contested poll that could cost the ruling party its parliamentary majority.
Speaking at the event, Zungula urged “progressive parties” to unite, emphasising the need to unlearn hatred and work together for the benefit of the majority ethno-racial group in the country.
“What is important for us as the ATM is that we need to send a message [against] what has been implanted in the minds of black people [which] is that because we are wearing different colour t-shirts, coming from different parties, we need to fight against one another. We need to hate one another.
“Black people have been taught to hate each other, they have been taught not to work together,” The Citizen quoted Zungula as saying.
He called for a new constitution, land expropriation without compensation, and emphasised the importance of unity to achieve a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Zungula also urged parties to protect voters during the upcoming national and provincial elections, alleging potential election theft by the African National Congress (ANC).
The date for the 2024 general elections is expected to be announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, with a potential timeframe between May and August 2024.
Meanwhile, according to AFP leader of the EFF Julius Malema accused the ruling ANC of neglecting the country’s ills.
Through the crippling power cuts (locally known as loadshedding) President Cyril “Ramaphosa is continuing to kill our people” he said as he unveiled the party’s manifesto theme: “Our land and jobs now. Stop loadshedding”.
He also accused the African National Congress (ANC) of “economic apartheid”.
In a country plagued by an energy crisis, lacklustre economy and high unemployment, some 27.5 million registered South Africans will vote for a new parliament who will then vote in a new president.
“We want political power to use it decisively” Malema declared, promising 4 million new jobs and an end power cuts within 6 months in office.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
