EFF supporters expected to paint Khayelitsha red during anniversary celebrations this weekend

THE EFF expects thousands of its supporters to pack the Khayelitsha stadium on Saturday when it celebrates its 12th anniversary.

The choice of Khayelitsha as the venue for the anniversary rally is significant, given the township's history of struggle and resistance.

The celebrations were initially planned for Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, however the party decided not to proceed out of respect for the grieving families who are mourning their loved ones who perished during the recent devastating floods.

During a press briefing on Thursday, party leader Julius Malema highlighted EFF’s ongoing effort towards economic transformation and the empowerment of marginalized communities, saying Khayelitsha was a symbol of the ongoing challenges faced by many South Africans.

"Khayelitsha remains physically and economically separated from the so-called 'world-class' parts of Cape Town," the EFF said in a statement.

"When the DA-led City speaks of a smart city, they are not referring to Khayelitsha. They are referring to the white enclaves of Sea Point, Claremont, Constantia, and Stellenbosch, while the people of Khayelitsha are left to swim in poverty, crime, poor sanitation, overcrowding, and lack of basic housing."The event will feature a rally at the 10,000-capacity dome built specifically for the occasion.

"This will not just be an event, it will be a Festival of the Poor, a moment to reflect on 12 years of struggle, survival, growth, and victories," said Malema.

He said the 12 years have been characterised by advocating for economic transformation, land expropriation without compensation, and other radical policies aimed at addressing the country's socio-economic challenges.

"We have challenged the proposed VAT increase, fought against unjustified electricity price hikes, and exposed the irregular awarding of the National Lottery license," it said.

"We demanded the formation of an ad hoc parliamentary committee to investigate infiltration of the criminal justice system, and we played a central role in setting aside the illegally adopted 2025 Fiscal Framework, forcing the government to return to Parliament and fix its unlawfully passed budget."

Cape Times