GARETH VAN ONSELEN: The EFF’s incompatible worlds of democracy and revolution
The party has stopped growing in any meaningful way and its formal brand is now powerfully and negatively associated with anger and violence
23 March 2023 - 05:03
The EFF walks in two worlds: formal democracy and revolution. It has had some limited success in formal politics, but its performance as a revolutionary party has been dire. The two are, of course, incompatible, as the latter seeks to destroy the former. But they are not unrelated.
The EFF’s primary problem is that its formal offer — a radically centralised socialist utopia — has limited appeal. The party is now stuck at about 10% of the vote. Sometimes it goes up a bit, sometimes down, but it has quickly found the 10%-15% band that constitutes its electoral cap. ..
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.