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Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters

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Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters
AbbreviationNEFF
LeaderEpafras Mukwiilongo
FoundedJune 2014 (2014-06)
Split fromSWAPO
IdeologyPan-Africanism
Anti-capitalism
Anti-imperialism
Anti-LGBT rights[1]
Anti-Chinese racism[2]
Political positionFar-left
Colours  Red
Seats in the National Assembly
2 / 104
Seats in the National Council
0 / 42
Regional Councillors
0 / 121
Local Councillors
0 / 378
Pan-African Parliament
0 / 5

The Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is a political party in Namibia. It was formed in June 2014. The party has close links to the South African Economic Freedom Fighters.[3] Economically, the two parties are similar, with the NEFF describing itself as a pro-freedom, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement,[4] to be against foreign exploitation of the country's natural resources, and proposing that land and its natural resources be owned by indigenous people.[5]

Led by former SWAPO member Epafras Mukwiilongo, the party differs from its South African relative in its anti-homosexual rhetoric, with Mukwiilongo stating that "Today, the imperialists are manipulating/influencing our nation through homosexual practices. The NEFF is committed to uniting all Namibians to root out this evil practice. Namibia will never be ruled by homosexuals".[5]

The party contested the 2014 general elections. It only gathered 0.36% of the votes and failed to gain any seats in the National Assembly. Its presidential candidate Mukwilongo came in last of the nine contenders.[6] In the 2019 general election, NEFF won 1.66% of the votes and two seats in parliament, although its presidential candidate Mukwiilongo again finished last.[7]

In June 2024, ECN deregistered NEEF for allegedly not complying with provisions of the Electoral Act of 2014 as they relate to the submission of financial statements.[8] On 8 August 2024, NEEF challenged the case and lost the fight in Electoral Court of Namibia.[9] Again, NEEF challenged the Electoral court ruling early September 2024 with the High Court of Namibia and its case against the ECN, following the cancellation of its registration as a political party in June.[10]

Electoral history

[edit]

National Assembly elections

[edit]
Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Result
2014 Epafras Mukwiilongo 3,259 0.36%
0 / 104
Steady in opposition
2019 13,580 1.66%
2 / 104
Increase 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Davis, Rebecca (26 June 2014). "Homophobic Namibian fighters: What the EFF?". Daily Maverick.
  2. ^ Staff Reporter (2 July 2020). "NEFF threatens to mobilise anti-Chinese xenophobia". Namibian Sun.
  3. ^ "Local party apes Malema's EFF". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Namibia's EFF replica: We want economic freedom". News24. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Malema's EFF fever hits Namibia". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  6. ^ "So lyk die NV" [That's the NA]. Die Republikein (in Afrikaans). 3 December 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015.
  7. ^ Iikela, Sakeus (2 December 2019). "Reduced victory ... Swapo, Geingob drop votes". The Namibian. p. 1.
  8. ^ Sun, Namibian; Graig, Augetto (1 July 2024). "Six political parties deregistered in 2024". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  9. ^ Namibian, Werner Menges, The (8 August 2024). "NEFF loses case against deregistration by ECN". The Namibian. Retrieved 5 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Namibian, Shelleygan Petersen, The (5 September 2024). "ECN studying NEFF judgement". The Namibian. Retrieved 5 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)