By Akani Nkuna
The Economic Freedom Fighters has used Easter to draw a connection between the teachings of Christ and the ongoing struggles of the oppressed, both in South Africa and in Gaza.
It extended it wishes to Christians on Friday, while condemning the violence faced by Palestinian civilians under apartheid Israel.
Domestically, it criticised rising inequality, VAT hikes and the political alliances it said betrayed the poor and working class.
“Like Christ, the EFF continues to wage a struggle for economic freedom because we know, as Jesus knew, that the suffering of the poor is not a natural condition, it is the result of political betrayal and moral decay,” EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said in a statement on Friday.
“In a South Africa where the ruling elite chooses to increase VAT on basic goods instead of taxing wealth, where a Government of National Unity partners with former oppressors and where children are not safe in their schools — the Easter message stands as a call to rise and resist.”
The EFF drew attention to the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian Christians and civilians in Gaza, who continued to endure unimaginable hardship under what it describes as the brutality of apartheid Israel.
Highlighting the recent bombing of a Christian hospital on Palm Sunday, which was one of the remaining sanctuaries for the wounded, the party condemned the escalating violence, calling it a direct assault on human dignity and sacred spaces.
“Already, entire communities have been displaced, some of the oldest churches destroyed, and lives lost in a brutal genocide that the global community continues to ignore. We stand firmly in solidarity with the Christians of Palestine who now commemorate Easter under bombs and rubble,” Thambo added.
The EFF has also issued a call for responsible travel over the Easter weekend, urging all road users to exercise caution and prioritise safety. Emphasising that road safety was a collective responsibility, the party stressed that the spirit of Easter should go beyond symbolic gestures
“… and we appeal to all citizens to drive with care and respect for life. Let this also be a time of generosity and compassion: give to the less fortunate, break bread with your family, and reflect on the true essence of this holy period,” Thambo said.
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