WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? written by Ntokozo Mdluli

I may not be a politically inclined person but I think I have noticed some commonality among certain political figures in Africa. I recently watched a live interview which featured EFF leader Julius Malema on the TV programme called UNFILTERED on SABC 3, and there were certain elements in the EFF manifesto which I think harmonize the values of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Mugabe and Malema are by far the only living African political leaders who have been brave enough to take the bull by its horn. They have been unapologetic in their quest for land expropriation and redistribution. One may not entirely agree with their leadership or rather political approaches, but they are an inspiration to many Africans out there.

Mugabe survived sanctions from the Westerners and remained consistent in his political convictions. Even in international forums, he was never intimidated by any 'super-power' present. Instead, he strongly defended his leadership strategies and continually reminded white people that Africa belongs to Africans. At one point, he even blatantly told the former British prime minister Tony Blair that: "Africans are not interested in even the smallest piece of Great Britain's land". We have also seen him challenging Donald Trump, advising the American president to blow his 'trumpet' in a musical way towards the values of unity, peace and cooperation. Although Mugabe's defiance against Western influence has come with very devastating repercussions on Zimbabwe and its citizens, he has never changed tune about what he truly believes in. He may no longer be president but many Africans will always respect him for his bravery and ideologies which have subliminally shaped the political landscape of some African countries.

Currently, South Africans are vigorously debating the topical issue of land expropriation without compensation. Julius Malema is the sole propagator of this idea which has somehow brought excitement to the black majority and bitterness to the white minority. According to Malema, a country can only be rendered democratic if the economic ground is level. He further asserts that South Africans cannot say South Africa belongs to them yet they have nothing concrete to prove it. Therefore, giving back the land to its indigenous owners has been one of the key elements in the EFF manifesto, and it is arguably the one course that facilitated the popularity of the EFF.

However, I still have unanswered questions regarding the land issue, despite the countless speeches and live interviews Malema has been featured in. Malema is an eloquent leader and has a strong political acumen, an attribute which has frustrated even the well established journalists in the prominent media houses. But I personally think there are some grey areas in their manifesto, particularly with regards to the land issue. According to Malema, the land will not just be seized from its current owners and given to black South Africans. He says the land will be taken and given to the government to administer it. The process entails approaching the land council and telling them you need the land either for personal or business/agricultural use. There is no need to demonstrate anything or bring state-approved business plans for one to qualify. However, after being given the green light to use the land, those who have applied will be given a certain period of time to start making use of the land. The EFF does not want people to just come forward and say they need land if they will leave it idle for a prolonged period of time.

But the big question is; how will the EFF ensure that the land is redistributed fairly among its diverse citizens? What will happen to black people who need the land to start a business yet they have no means to procure capital? Will the EFF give them the land and fund their projects as well? Will the black people only enjoy temporary 'ownership' of land, since prolonged idleness of the land will be a violation of the agreement? What will happen if the same individuals who currently own vast land in South Africa resurface to claim back the land, citing incapability of black people to run the farms? We know that a lot of South Africans live below poverty line and some lack the necessary skills required in the industrial sector. So, what will happen when many whites make applications to utilize the state-owned land, and even overtake the black people in establishing industries? They have the means, and they have always had better opportunities compared to the black people. Will the established black farmers in South Africa be treated like the white farmers, or they will be spared on basis of being indigenous owners of the land? Lastly, I am still not sure about the EFF's definition of 'BLACK'. Do  they define 'black' in accordance with Steve Biko in his writings on Black Consciousness, or they have their peculiar definition of BLACK?