The chairperson of the EFF in the Vhembe District, Advocate TP Matodzi, described Monday's national shutdown as peaceful and a big success.
Speaking to the EFF members after their march on Monday, he thanked them for keeping things peaceful and avoiding provocations with law-enforcement agencies. "The masses of our people heeded our call and stayed at home today. Most shops did not open their doors and when we marched to the malls, the police and the army closed the gates. We are still demanding that the government should stop load shedding and the president of the country should resign as he is failing this country," Matodzi said.
In the afternoon, the EFF marched towards Thavhani Mall, past Mvusuludzo Mall, through the CBD, towards the University of Venda, where the leadership addressed its members before dispersing.
When Matodzi was asked whether he felt that the party had achieved its objectives with the shutdown in Thohoyandou, he replied that they had. "Thohoyandou was like a ghost town today. Only a very few hawkers opened their stalls," he said.
On the question of marches being dominated by young people, with very few adults participating, he said this was not surprising as the student leadership at Univen and the Vhembe TVET College's Makwarela Campus were run by EFF Student Command. "We are in control of the youth formations in the Vhembe District, and this confirms why we are growing at a very fast pace here. This is a party for future generations," he concluded.