Over 15 000 supporters attended the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launch on Sunday. Amongst the supporters where dignitaries which included Bantu Holomisa- the leader of United Democratic Movement (UDM) and chief Seka Mopeli of Royal Council and his wife from Qwaqwa. The EFF launch party was held in North West, Marikana koppies-where 34 miners were killed last August by police over labour disputes.

Party members gathered on the koppie to sing anti-Jacob Zuma songs, waving banners of the respective locales such as Johannesburg’s Alexandra Township, Bophelong in the North West and Kathlehong in East Rand. 

The EFF leader Julius Malema made a grand entrance riding a motorcycle and the crowd of supporters were cheering up for him saying ”Juju, Juju!”.

Malema addressed the enthusiastic crowd and said, “A giant has been born which should be feared and will fight for the poor.” To commemorate the opening of the new party, Malema slaughtered a cow as way to gain blessings for his new party. UDM leader, Holomisa welcomed the EFF into the political arena, but warned them to brace themselves for trying times ahead.

”You should not delude yourselves into thinking that life as an opposition is a bowl cherries”.

EFF indicated that it’s going to contest next year’s general elections. This was after the party received its registration certificate from the Independent Electoral Commission.

Sources: mg.co.za, sabcnews.co.za, iol.co.za and enca.com