A marriage between the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) and up in arms union, the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (Numsa) could be consummated soon, and it could happen before the 2014 polls.
Numsa has said it will not endorse the African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming general elections. Its decision came at a time when the EFF is preparing for a game-changing 2014 election. The Julius Malema-led party says it seeks what it calls revolutionaries. As a result, it has set its sights set on Numsa.
Numsa, the biggest Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) affiliate, has also withdrawn its monthly subscription to the mother body.
Commenting on the possible joint venture, Malema says as per observations, there are areas that require open and official engagements to discuss and establish common ground. He adds: “All working class formations and revolutionary movements should be united in the anti-capital struggles.”
EFF’s Floyd Shivambu echoes Malema’s sentiments, adding that there are common areas of interest between the two. “We need to unite the working class forces to win the elections and liberate the economy of the country”, he says.
The EFF earlier announced that it is targeting membership of half a million before the elections. Former SABC GCEO, Advocate Dali Mpofu, heads the Justice Portfolio of the EFF while another ex-ANC Youth League NEC member, Magdalene Munsamy, is the new head of international relations.
– By Montlenyane Diphoko, Johannesburg
