Communist Storm Clouds Gather in South Africa

Liberal demigod Nelson Mandela’s collectivist legacy continues to unfold in what was once a prosperous and relatively civilized country:

The Economic Freedom Fighters have stuck to their guns for the nationalisation of mines and expropriation of land without compensation.

Party leader Julius Malema on Saturday unveiled the organisation’s elections manifesto at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa, east of Johannesburg.

“We want to do away with colonial patterns of ownership in South Africa,” he said.

That means if a white person owns it, the government is going to take it, just like in Zimbabwe, which has been reduced to basket case status by similar policies.

Malema’s manifesto consists mainly of one word: nationalization. Very little will be left in private hands if he has his way. The name of his party is appropriate: it exists to fight economic freedom.

Malema revved up supporters by proclaiming that after 20 years of democracy, blacks are still poor. The implication is that it is time to give up on democracy, and go whole hog on the communism.

When communism doesn’t work either, there will be no going back. After the wealth that was produced when property rights were honored has been devoured by the government, there will be nothing left but poverty and tyranny, as in Zimbabwe.

The insanity of Malema’s agenda guarantees economic ruin. For example,

Malema said his party believed all jobs in the country should be permanent.

The EFF would implement legislation that would ensure this.

What effect will it have on employment if once hired, a worker can never be let go? No one likely to vote for the EFF would think it through far enough to wonder.

Malema also plans to impose set wages for various occupations, to inflict nationalized health insurance that will incorporate “traditional healers” (i.e., witch doctors), and to pass out all sorts of goodies like social grants, increased pensions, increased child support grants, free education, scholarships to study abroad, et cetera, ad nauseam. Peggy the Moocher would love it.

Any of these goodies that actually materialize will be financed by Western aid, since there is no chance South Africa will generate significant wealth without property rights.

Economic Freedom Fighters
Actually, it is over for everyone but tyrants.

On a tip from Sean K. Cross-posted at Moonbattery.

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