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]
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | NEFF |
| Leader | Epafras Mukwiilongo |
| Founded | June 2014 |
| Split from | SWAPO |
| Ideology | Pan-Africanism Anti-capitalism Anti-imperialism Anti-LGBT rights[1] Anti-Chinese racism[2] |
| Political position | Far-left |
| Colours | Red |
| Seats in the National Assembly | 1 / 104 |
| Seats in the National Council | 0 / 42 |
| Regional Councillors | 0 / 121 |
| Local Councillors | 0 / 378 |
| Pan-African Parliament | 0 / 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]
Election results
editPresidential elections
edit| Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Jan Mukwilongo | 2,514 | 0.28% | Lost 
|
| 2019 | Epafras Mukwiilongo | 1,026 | 0.12% | Lost
|
| 2024 | 3,978 | 0.36% | Lost
|
National Assembly elections
edit| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Epafras Mukwiilongo | 3,259 | 0.36% | 0 / 104
|
New | Extra-parliamentary |
| 2019 | 13,580 | 1.66% | 2 / 104
|
 2
|
Opposition | |
| 2024 | 11,743 | 1.07% | 1 / 104
|
 1
|
Opposition |
References
edit- ^ Davis, Rebecca (26 June 2014). "Homophobic Namibian fighters: What the EFF?". Daily Maverick.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2 July 2020). "NEFF threatens to mobilise anti-Chinese xenophobia". Namibian Sun.
- ^ "Local party apes Malema's EFF". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "Namibia's EFF replica: We want economic freedom". News24. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ a b Immanuel, Shinovene (25 June 2014). "Malema's EFF fever hits Namibia". The Namibian.
- ^ "So lyk die NV" [That's the NA]. Die Republikein (in Afrikaans). 3 December 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015.
- ^ Iikela, Sakeus (2 December 2019). "Reduced victory ... Swapo, Geingob drop votes". The Namibian. p. 1.
- ^ Graig, Augetto (1 July 2024). "Six political parties deregistered in 2024". Namibian Sun.
- ^ Menges, Werner (8 August 2024). "NEFF loses case against deregistration by ECN". The Namibian.
- ^ Petersen, Shelleygan (5 September 2024). "ECN studying NEFF judgement". The Namibian.