Leader of South African opposition party promises jobs, land ahead of election

The controversial leader of South Africa’s third largest political party has promised to create jobs for millions of the country’s unemployed and turn around its economy as he seeks to attract more voters ahead of much anticipated elections

DURBAN, South Africa -- The controversial leader of South Africa’s third largest political party promised Saturday to create jobs for millions of the country’s unemployed and turn around its economy as he seeks to attract more voters ahead of much anticipated general election.

Economic Freedom Fighters party founder Julius Malema addressed a packed 56,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium in the coastal city of Durban as he launched the party’s election manifesto to the delight of supporters.

“This is not a manifesto of promises, it’s a manifesto of commitments," he said.

With election season well underway in South Africa, most political parties who have not launched their manifestos are expected to do so in the coming weeks. A date for the election has not been announced.

The election is expected to be highly contested because the ruling African National Congress, which has governed the country since Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically-elected leader in 1994, faces myriad challenges.