By Yondi Mahlangeni
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says pensioners would receive an old-age grant of R4 500 under an EFF led government.
Malema made the promise while addressing supporters at the party’s manifesto launch at the Dr JL Dube Stadium in Inanda, north of Durban, on Saturday, 19 September.
The manifesto outlined the EFF’s plans ahead of the 4 November local government elections, including commitments on social grants, electricity, housing and free Wi-Fi.
“Under the EFF government the pensioner will receive R4 500 and they will not pay for electricity. In townships and rural areas, people need free Wi-Fi so they will have access to information. Information is power and we are going to build houses,” Malema said.
The old-age grant, which is currently R2300, is administered nationally through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), while municipalities are responsible for local government services such as electricity reticulation and other basic services. This means an EFF victory in a municipality would not, by itself, allow the party to change the national social grant amount.
Some residents who attended the launch said they welcomed the party’s manifesto and believed the EFF would deliver on its promises if it gains control of municipalities.
Resident Nokulunga Madiba said she believed Malema would fulfil his promises.
“All we need is to vote for it to win the upcoming local elections. The African National Congress is failing, that is why we are looking forward to a new party to rule,” she said.
Another resident, Anele Nompandla, said she wanted the EFF to address the lack of space at universities.
“Now that Malema is saying we are the future, we want him to help us by building more universities because a lot of matriculants passed with good marks but cannot be admitted in higher institutions because there is no space,” Nompandla said.
During his address, Malema also criticised other political parties, including the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, saying aged political leaders do not represent the future.
