ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS EXTENDS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO SOUTH AFRICANS VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE RESPONDED IN THEIR NUMBERS AND STANDING UP TO BE COUNTED IN THE STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM:

13 June 2013

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the 5000 young pioneers who have pledged their support to a just cause by volunteering as foot soldiers of the economic freedom struggle. Economic Freedom Fighters from all across South Africa have heeded the call to carry the baton that has been sitting idle for many years since it was left by the warrior men and women who served, suffered and sacrificed for the liberation of the oppressed people of our country.

Since the beginning of the week, thousands of messages have been received on our Facebook, Twitter and e-mail accounts. We have also received hundreds of phone calls from all corners of the motherland. The enthusiasm shown by young people is a clear indication that the grounds are fertile for the birth of a radical movement which seeks to challenge the anti-poor and anti-youth status quo that is managed by those who sit in higher echelons of power.

Over the last few years, young people in South Africa have been on the receiving end of brutality; brutality in the form of poverty, unemployment, disease and marginalisation from economic activity. This has birthed instability. A study of the barometer of struggle shows that since the dawn of the democratic dispensation, there have been more than ten thousand service delivery protests in our country.

Most of these protests are led by young people, who constitute a significant majority of the South African population. These are young people who have been forced into a corner by their socio-economic conditions, and who have no other choice but to fight for economic emancipation.

Economic Freedom Fighters are young people across all racial, ethnical, tribal and class backgrounds who are dedicated to ensuring that all the commanding heights of the economy are placed in the capable hands of the toiling masses. We are young people calling for the nationalisation of all key sectors of the economy and the expropriation of land without compensation.

We are committed to the pursuit of this progressive struggle and are determined to confront it without fear or favour. In spite of the intimidation and threats that we have been subjected to over the past few days, we remain unwaveringly committed to the struggle for economic freedom. In spite of attempts to demonise the movement and its foot soldiers, we remain firmly rooted in the goal of realising the herculean task that lies before us.

We are grateful to all the volunteers, the Economic Freedom Fighters who have consciously decided to roll up their sleeves and get on the ground to work for the realisation of this revolutionary ideal. We have created a data base of all volunteers and will send you emails on the next cause of action on when and where the Consultative Forum will come to your area.

There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. This is the time to heighten youth action for economic freedom in our lifetime. More volunteers are called on become Economic Freedom Fighters. Join this progressive vehicle by contacting us on [email protected] and following us on Twitter @EconFreedomZA

Do not forget to include your province, region and contact numbers.

Statement issued by Economic Freedom Fighters, June 13 2013

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