The party announced Pako Molatlhegi as their candidate in ward 28 of the Rustenburg local municipality.

Molatlhegi won the ward in the 2011 elections as an independent candidate. Emily Fatmani would stand as the propositional representative (PR) councillor in the same ward.

Molatlhegi promised to retain the ward and continue to move the development in the ward forward.

“We have achieved a lot in ward 28 in the previous term, we managed to force the municipality to allocate stands, when we get in we found out that for over ten years the municipality did not allocate land for residential purposes,” Molatlhegi said.

He said as the EFF candidates they would continue to fight for economic emancipation and unity.

“We cannot be a rainbow nation when we are not united. The rainbow colours are always together. We cannot be a rainbow nation when it suits some people while we are still oppressed economically.”

He said Youth Day would forever remind South Africans that freedom was not easily attained.

“The tree of freedom was nurtured by the blood of many people such as Solomon Mahlangu, Steve Biko and others before us. The tree of freedom is bearing fruit.

“As the EFF we are picking up the spear from the fallen heroes to continue to fight for economic freedom. Racial oppression is over but, this is not enough until our children have access to free education up to tertiary,” he said.

The event started with religious leaders praying for the candidates and peaceful election.

Molatlhegi said he believed the elections would be peaceful.

“There is political tolerance in Lethabong, people are matured and understand that everyone has the right to associate with a political party of their choice. I foresee peaceful election in this area.”

He said the EFF would win the Rustenburg local municipality and the municipality in the Bojanala District of the North West province.

The other candidates announced to the public were Page Moremi, ward 27 candidate, and Rebecca Matlhasela as PR councillor.

Lawrance Masongwa was named ward candidate and Poppy Lebethe as PR councillor for ward 30 in Bethanie. T

The local government elections would be held on August 3.

June 16 is a public holiday in South Africa, in remembrance of youth killed during the Soweto uprising in 1976.

Students from several schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in black schools.

ANA