Yasmin Bilal
Despite a cold and windy day, EFF supporters turned out in large numbers for the party’s Provincial Manifesto Launches in Mpumalanga and North West today.
EFF president Julius Malema addressed supporters in both provinces ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
He outlined the party’s plans for service delivery, infrastructure and economic development.
At the Mpumalanga launch in eMalahleni, Malema said the EFF would formalise informal settlements by introducing surveying systems to ensure residents have access to basic services.
These would include clean running water, electricity and sanitation.
He also promised a community library and sports and recreational centres in eMalahleni if the EFF takes over the municipality.
Malema said the party would refurbish ageing infrastructure and tar roads.
“We want to refurbish ageing infrastructure and tar roads for our people, because they deserve better too,” he said.
Water was a major focus of his address.
“Fighters, we must make sure that on the 04th of November, we are at the forefront of the Election Machinery. Why? Because we want to deliver Water to our people. Our people want water,” Malema said.
He also promised to scrap the debt of poor residents in Mbombela.
“Those ANC fools must know that when we get in Mbombela, we are going to scrap all the debt of the poor. We are starting afresh,” he said.
Malema said the EFF wanted to remove middlemen and redirect the savings towards poorer communities.
“We don’t want a middleman; we want to save money. What do you want to do with this money? Redirect it to the poor and serve the poor of the poorest!”
He pledged electricity for every household in Mpumalanga and said it should be affordable.
“Every household in Mpumalanga must have electricity, and must have cheap electricity. Why? The coal comes from Mpumalanga. We are the ones who produce electricity for the whole of South Africa.”
Malema also pledged to expropriate land and give it to black farmers.
“We will expropriate land and give it to our Black Farmers to make sure gore re participate’r in the Economy of Mpumalanga.”
He urged supporters to vote on 4 November regardless of the weather.
“Whether it’s cold, whether it’s hot, whether it’s raining – we are going to wake up, take our ID, the same way Shaka took the Spear, and use our ID as a spear to fight the enemy.”
Malema said he wanted eMalahleni to become the starting point for what he described as economic freedom.
“So, we must go and make history. Let the revolution start at eMalahleni. Political freedom started in Soweto. Economic Freedom must start in Emalahleni, and rightfully so, it must start in Mpumalanga…because Mpumalanga is the Economy of South Africa.” Malema said.
In North West, Malema outlined plans to improve municipal infrastructure, including proper sewer systems and the reconstruction of vehicle bridges destroyed by storms.
He also said every school should have clean water and flushing toilets.
“Every school must have clean water and flushing toilets, because that’s where our children gather, that’s where we must show them respect and love, they need to grow up knowing that our government is a caring government.”
The EFF said its 2026 Local Government Election Manifesto is a five-year commitment to building “People’s Municipalities” that will deliver economic freedom.
Malema also called on the party’s ground forces to intensify door-to-door campaigning, particularly in JP Marks.
“All Ground Forces have to go down to the ground and do door-to-door, especially JP Marks; we are not happy with the work there,” he said.
The EFF thanked the ground forces in North West and Mpumalanga for their commitment to the campaign.
“Your overwhelming commitment has once again demonstrated that the people are ready for change. Victory is Certain,” said the party.