EFF’s Plan to Help Poor Households
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), spoke at the EFF Ground Forces Forum in Umsunduzi, Pietermaritzburg, outlining what his party would do if it won the upcoming local government elections on 4 November.
Free Basic Services for SASSA Beneficiaries
Malema promised that people receiving SASSA grants would get free electricity and water. He argued that basic services should not be treated as profit‑making businesses.
Why Electricity Should Be Affordable
He questioned why Eskom makes a profit when providing electricity is a right, not a commodity. According to Malema, the utility should earn just enough to cover its costs, then supply affordable power to the public.
Economic Exclusion Today
Malema compared today’s high electricity prices to the racial exclusion of apartheid. He said that while black South Africans can no longer be denied access outright, they are excluded by cost—many homes have wiring but cannot afford to switch the lights on.
Linking Government Systems
To avoid repeated proof of poverty, Malema urged that government departments share data so that a person’s ID automatically flags them as a SASSA beneficiary.
Automatic Exemption from Bills
When a municipal official scans an ID, the system would instantly show the holder’s grant status and waive water and electricity charges. This would remove the need for beneficiaries to explain their situation at every payment point.
Using School‑Fee Data as a Model
He pointed out that areas already identified as no‑fee school zones are recognized as poor. The same logic should apply to utilities: if a household qualifies for free schooling, it should also receive free basic services until residents can afford them.
Higher Education: No Registration Fees for the Poor
Malema also attacked university registration fees, saying they punish students who have already been deemed poor through no‑fee schooling and grant assistance.
Free Access for SASSA Children
He argued that children of SASSA beneficiaries should never pay registration or tuition fees. Likewise, learners from no‑fee schools should gain automatic entry to higher education institutions.
Why the Fee Makes No Sense
Malema asked how a student who has received free meals, free schooling, and grant support can suddenly be expected to raise money for a university registration fee. He called the requirement contradictory and unfair.
Conclusion
Malema’s message is clear: the EFF believes that basic services and education should be rights, not commodities tied to profit. By linking government databases and treating electricity, water, and university access as essential services, the party aims to end what it sees as a modern form of economic exclusion. Voters will decide on 4 November whether these proposals become policy.
