Economic Freedom in our Lifetime.

Ahmed Kathrada Branch

About Us

Background of the Economic Freedom Fighters

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stands as a beacon of radical change on South Africa's political landscape, emerging in 2013 as a militant force for economic emancipation. At its core, the EFF is an anti-imperialist, leftist movement with a staunchly internationalist outlook, deeply rooted in popular grassroots formations and struggles. Since its inception, the EFF has united a diverse coalition of revolutionary activists, community-based organizations, and lobby groups under its red banner. This unified front has amplified the party's voice in the ongoing struggle for economic emancipation, challenging entrenched power structures and advocating for radical redistribution of wealth and resources.

Within this broader movement, we are proud to represent Ward 2 of the EFF in Mamusa Local Municipality, located in the town of Schweizer-Reneke. Our local structure, known as the Branch Command Team (BCT), serves as the grassroots engine of the EFF's mission in our community. We are pleased to announce that our ward is now becoming known as the Ahmed Kathrada Branch, a name chosen by the current executive committee to honour the legacy of Ahmed Kathrada.

Ahmed Kathrada (1929 to 2017) was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and politician, known for his close association with Nelson Mandela and his significant contributions to the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Born in Schweizer-Reneke, Kathrada was deeply involved in the fight against apartheid from a young age, eventually spending 18 years in prison following the Rivonia Trial. This change reflects our recognition of the Kathrada Section within our ward, named after the late stalwart born in Schweizer-Reneke.

Our comprehensive list of primary responsibilities for the Ward 2 Branch Command Team of the EFF Mamusa branch now includes the following:

Fostering High Discipline:

We maintain a culture of unwavering commitment to our principles and goals, reflected in consistent outreach, punctual attendance, and adherence to EFF policies.

Facilitating Robust Debate:

Our WCT serves as a forum for open and vigorous discussion on local issues, encouraging all members to voice opinions and contribute to innovative solutions.

Ensuring Accountability:

We hold ourselves responsible for our actions and decisions through regular performance reviews, transparent reporting, and open communication with community members.

Implementing Grassroots Initiatives:

We develop and execute effective local programs addressing Ward 2's specific needs, combining disciplined execution, thorough debate, and clear accountability measures.

Liaising with Higher Party Structures:

We maintain disciplined communication with the broader EFF organization, representing our ward's interests while implementing party directives locally.

Community Engagement:

Through disciplined outreach, we foster robust debates within the community, ensuring diverse voices are heard and holding ourselves accountable to resident feedback.

Leadership Development:

We cultivate future leaders by instilling values of high discipline, encouraging participation in debates, and teaching the importance of accountability.

Retainment and Recruitment:

We actively engage with community members to grow our movement and strengthen our collective voice. This involves:

Conducting regular outreach programs to attract new members
Organizing informational sessions about EFF's mission and values
Implementing mentorship programs to support and retain existing members
Creating engaging activities that showcase the benefits of EFF membership

Mobilization:

We organize local actions and initiatives that advance the EFF's goals of economic freedom and social justice. This includes:

Planning and executing peaceful demonstrations and protests
Coordinating community service projects that align with EFF's vision
Arranging voter registration drives and political education workshops
Mobilizing members for participation in broader EFF campaigns and events

Sub-Region Delineation

Ward Delimitation

As the Branch Command Team (BCT) , we operate as the vanguard of the EFF's presence in Ward 2 elected in the Branch People's Assembly (BPA). This structure ensures that our movement remains deeply rooted in our community, with vibrant leadership emerging directly from the people.

Our work in Ward 2 is guided by the EFF's core principles of economic emancipation, anti-capitalism, and Pan-Africanism. We recognize that the challenges facing our community are not isolated incidents but symptoms of broader systemic inequalities. Through our fieldwork, community engagement, and political advocacy, we strive to:

Expose and challenge the economic disparities that persist in the cluster of Mamusa and beyond.

Promote radical solutions that prioritize the needs of the working class and marginalized communities.

Foster a sense of empowerment and political consciousness among Ward 2 residents.

Build solidarity with other EFF branches and progressive movements across Dr Ruth Mompati District and the North-West province.

As members of the Ward 2 WCT, we are committed to embodying the revolutionary spirit of the EFF in all our actions. We understand that true economic freedom requires more than incremental changes –– it demands a fundamental restructuring of our economic and social systems.

Through this website and our on-the-ground efforts, we aim to provide Ward 2 residents with the information, resources, and organizational support needed to join us in this crucial struggle. Together, as part of the broader EFF movement, we are working tirelessly to build a future of genuine economic emancipation and social justice for all.

Aims and Objectives of the Economic Freedom Fighters

To capture political and state power through whatever revolutionary means possible to transform the economy to benefit all, Africans in particular.

To establish and sustain a society that cherishes revolutionary cultural values and to create conditions for the total political and economic emancipation, prosperity and equitable distribution of wealth of the nation.

To attain and defend the national integrity and liberation of the oppressed black majority of South Africa.

To participate in the global struggle for the complete eradication of imperialism, colonialism, racism and all other forms of oppression and discrimination.

To participate in, support and promote all struggles for the attainment of the complete independence and unity of an African state and by extension, the African continent.

To resolutely oppose tribalism, regionalism, religious and cultural intolerance.

To oppose the oppression of women, children and all other-gendered people.

To oppose patriarchy, sexism, homophobia and any discriminatory practices that promote the oppression of anyone, women in particular.

Political Education: Theory to Practice

In Ward 2 of the EFF Mamusa branch, we believe that true revolutionary change begins with a deep understanding of the ideological frameworks that shape our struggle. Our political school programme is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, empowering our community members with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to address local challenges through a radical lens.

Our curriculum explores the following key concepts, each offering unique insights into the complexities of our community's struggles and potential paths forward:

Socialism: Examining the vision of a classless society and collective ownership of resources as a solution to economic disparities in Mamusa.

Marxism: Analyzing class struggles and the historical materialist approach to understanding our community's socio-economic conditions.

Sankarism: Drawing inspiration from Thomas Sankara's revolutionary practices to promote self-reliance, anti-imperialism, and African dignity in our local context.

Anti-capitalism: Critiquing the capitalist structures that perpetuate inequality in our ward and exploring alternative economic models centered on human needs.

Black Nationalism: Fostering a sense of cultural pride, self-determination, and economic empowerment within our predominantly Black community.

Pan-Africanism: Connecting our local struggles to the broader African context, promoting continental solidarity and cooperative solutions.

Feminism: Integrating intersectional feminist perspectives to address gender-based oppression and promote equality in all aspects of community life.

New Municipalism: A grassroots strategy for seizing local state power to advance economic justice, implement progressive policies, and radically transform political processes from the ground up.

LGBTQI+ Rights and Liberation: Advancing the struggle for full equality, dignity, and economic emancipation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and all gender-diverse individuals as an integral part of our broader fight against oppression and capitalist exploitation.