Zuma and EFF Face Heat Over Failed Economic Promises to Poor Black South Africans

The Harsh Reality Behind Zuma’s Economic Liberation Promises

It’s hard to ignore the optimism that came with Jacob Zuma stepping into the South African presidency. He wasn’t shy about promising economic freedom, shocking the wealthy elite and assuring poor Black communities that their time for true financial emancipation had finally arrived. But when the dust settled, who really benefited? More and more, analysts and everyday citizens are pointing out a disturbing gap between the promises made and the lives led by those still stuck in poverty.

Take Zuma’s own family as an example. While millions struggle to put food on the table, Khulubuse Zuma—Jacob Zuma’s nephew—has quietly built up oil interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These are no small stakes. The contrast is stark: spectacular wealth for a select few, and very little to show for communities back home who were told they'd share in this so-called liberation. For many, it’s starting to look like economic empowerment was reshuffled to benefit political insiders, not the masses.

EFF’s Radical Reputation Tarnished by Corruption Scandals

Now let’s talk about the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the flashy political party that burst onto the scene as a bold alternative to the traditional powerhouses. Built on outrage and radical rhetoric, the EFF sold itself as the people’s champion, especially for those who felt left out of South Africa’s prosperity. But scandals and headlines haven’t been kind.

The VBS Mutual Bank disaster pulled back the curtain on some ugly realities. Remember Floyd Shivambu, EFF's deputy president? Investigations found out his brother had received major illicit payments from VBS, with a trail of money supposedly finding its way to top EFF leaders using shadowy companies. Shivambu even admitted splurging some of these funds on a luxury vehicle, which only fueled public suspicion over whether the EFF ever intended to put ordinary people first.

This isn’t just about one flashy car or a fat bank account. These revelations hint at deeper political rot. Both Zuma’s circle and the EFF used the language of revolution while quietly making themselves richer. South Africa’s elite enrichment isn’t a new story, but these cases sting especially for those who believed that radical leaders would finally shake up a system that’s failed the poor for decades.

If there’s something we can all take away from this, it’s the urgent need for real accountability. As long as political leaders can talk economic transformation while dipping into public or donor funds for personal use, the dream of true economic freedom for most Black South Africans remains just that—a dream. If corruption continues to hijack empowerment initiatives, the only winners are the ones already inside the Jacob Zuma circle.