Economic Freedom Fighter head Julius Malema. (Gallo)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) plans on holding political and economic education workshops to teach its members political governance using communist thinkers.
The essentials of Marxist economics and the theory of decolonisation, founded in a combination of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and Frantz Fanon writings will guide the workshops.
"Red berets are increasingly defining the symbolic battleground of ideas in different communities, also becoming the sign of open defiance of the ZANC regime [a name given to the ANC as controlled by President Jacob Zuma]," said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlovu.
"Fighters, like many revolutionaries that we draw inspiration from, are also facing exclusion, torture and are targets of all kinds of covert missions of those who want to defend the status quo," he said.
Originally scheduled for August, the EFF's official launch was delayed due to a problem with its party registration with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). It is now set to launch on October 13 in the North West.
On Friday the party is expected to begin its election campaign and later set up five branches to intensify the work of establishing EFF structures.
In the weeks leading up to the launch, the EFF said, it will set aside three days for strategic planning, political education on its election manifesto, campaign strategy and fundraising.
Leadership reshuffle
However, the leadership scheduled to launch in August has changed drastically with six new appointments and two members released. Following a special central command meeting held last week, the EFF released their Western Cape coordinator Gcobani Nozongana.
According to Ndlovu: "He made public assertions that brought the province and organisation into disrepute. There are no 'baby sitters'. The EFF dispels all notions suggesting there to be any ageism in its leadership and reaffirms its absolute faith in the commandership of fighter Julius Sello Malema."
The firing of Nozongana follows the resignation of one of its prominent founders, businessperson Kenny Kunene. The "sushi king" handed in his beret last month to pursue a new cause: combating gangsterism in Cape Town. However, sources close to Kunene claim he left because he was becoming the cash cow of the party.
Replacing Nozongana are Godrick Gardee, Tseko Mafanya, Harris Watson, Leentjie Philips, Natasha Louw and Veronica Mente. Gardee will be the EFF's national elections coordinator for 2014.