The fight has begun - Article about the rise of the EFF
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a force to be reckoned with and is “leaping from strength to strength” according to Richard Poplak the author of Until Julius Comes.
He was addressing an audience at Stellenbosch University’s journalism department yesterday and discussed his views on the prospects of the EFF as an opposition party in South African politics.
Poplak explained that right now, the EFF will not be able to exist without its leader, Julius Malema, but that the structures are being put into place. “He has an extremely compelling presence like no other politician I’ve ever seen.”
The EFF caused a stir in the national elections this year as they entered last minute and claimed votes and members from their opposition.
“The 2014 campaign was an appetiser in terms of what is coming down the pipe towards us in terms of change in this country,” says Poplak.
As a party they have been successful in getting reactions from opposition and members of the public but the responses are not all positive.
“They are populace and they work on people’s disgruntlements. Are they genuine? I don’t think so,” says Political Science lecturer Dr Nicola de Jager from Stellenbosch University.
“What makes Malema as powerful as he is now is the fact that he tapped into a very serious anger and he is able to understand the taste of the times.
“I think over the course of the EFF’s short time in Parliament these people are going to feel very different about their voices being heard. The idea of representation has suddenly switched, people are suddenly realising they have a voice,” explains Poplak about the EFF’s performance thus far.
“No doubt that Parliament will ever be the same again. They have definitely changed it but whether it is for the good or bad we will have to see,” says Dr de Jager.
“I am very satisfied that the EFF’s behaviour has taken Parliament to where it was supposed to be in a democracy and where it hasn’t been in a long time. The debate is finally in the Parliament,” says Sunday Times journalist Jan Jan Joubert.
“In the past month or so it looks like the EFF has some growth potential so it is not impossible,” says Joubert when asked whether the EFF will become the official opposition party.
“We cannot underestimate how powerful that performance in Parliament really was,” explains Poplak.
Poplak’s book Until Julius Comes is about the EFF growing and potentially being the party to unseat the ANC. “Someone said to me, the ANC thinks they going to rule till Jesus comes but they’re going to rule till Julius comes.”
He was addressing an audience at Stellenbosch University’s journalism department yesterday and discussed his views on the prospects of the EFF as an opposition party in South African politics.
Poplak explained that right now, the EFF will not be able to exist without its leader, Julius Malema, but that the structures are being put into place. “He has an extremely compelling presence like no other politician I’ve ever seen.”
The EFF caused a stir in the national elections this year as they entered last minute and claimed votes and members from their opposition.
“The 2014 campaign was an appetiser in terms of what is coming down the pipe towards us in terms of change in this country,” says Poplak.
As a party they have been successful in getting reactions from opposition and members of the public but the responses are not all positive.
“They are populace and they work on people’s disgruntlements. Are they genuine? I don’t think so,” says Political Science lecturer Dr Nicola de Jager from Stellenbosch University.
“What makes Malema as powerful as he is now is the fact that he tapped into a very serious anger and he is able to understand the taste of the times.
“I think over the course of the EFF’s short time in Parliament these people are going to feel very different about their voices being heard. The idea of representation has suddenly switched, people are suddenly realising they have a voice,” explains Poplak about the EFF’s performance thus far.
“No doubt that Parliament will ever be the same again. They have definitely changed it but whether it is for the good or bad we will have to see,” says Dr de Jager.
“I am very satisfied that the EFF’s behaviour has taken Parliament to where it was supposed to be in a democracy and where it hasn’t been in a long time. The debate is finally in the Parliament,” says Sunday Times journalist Jan Jan Joubert.
“In the past month or so it looks like the EFF has some growth potential so it is not impossible,” says Joubert when asked whether the EFF will become the official opposition party.
“We cannot underestimate how powerful that performance in Parliament really was,” explains Poplak.
Poplak’s book Until Julius Comes is about the EFF growing and potentially being the party to unseat the ANC. “Someone said to me, the ANC thinks they going to rule till Jesus comes but they’re going to rule till Julius comes.”
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