A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Studies, 2016 / The emergence of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as a new and ‘radical’ political party significantly altered the shape of the political landscape in South Africa. As one of the starting points in this paper, I show how the EFF comes out of a history in the ANCYL before turning attention to public discussions on the organisation. These contemporary debates about the EFF have taken numerous forms, oftentimes in deeply polarised ways - from those who argue that the EFF is pejoratively populist or fascist to arguments that the party is a crucial left alternative. Within the context of these debates, this research paper grapples with the question of the political character of the EFF, ultimately arguing that the EFF is populist. I use, however, a framework for populism set out by Ernesto Laclau thus marking a break with most discussions on the EFF that are often theoretically limited. This research works with both the empirical and the theoretical – in doing this I utilise Michael Burawoy’s ‘extended case method’ to ground the discussion and to provide a method that encompasses the field research – I used semi-structured interviews and participant observation – with a theoretical inquiry. This research is based on the Marikana Branch of the EFF, in the North West Province. In using data from respondents, a number of conclusions about the EFF in Marikana are drawn out around the membership base of the EFF, organisational structures, the relations with other organisations as well as the class, gender and age substance of the party. These conclusions partly stand on their own in building an understanding of the EFF. They are also used in a central discussion around populism in the EFF and the building of a collective political subjectivity that is premised on the popular. In this way, this research works on two interlinked levels that feed into answering questions around the EFF as a new political formation. In line with Burawoy’s method that is used throughout this research, I also outline some of the key limitations of using Laclau’s theory of populism in understanding the EFF and how we move from these limitations through the work presented around the Marikana Branch. / MT2017

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word gevra of vryheid nog 'n haalbare en nastrewenswaardige ideaal is aan die hand van Michel Foucault se werk Die vraag word ondersoek in die lig van die verskillende sienings van die subjek wat Foucault ontwikkel het, sowel as sy sienings oor mag en vryheid. Ter gevolgtrekking word bogenoemde vraag gekwalifiseerd bevestigend beantwoord, ook met verwysing na die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, tydens en na Apartheid, en word kortliks gepoog om vryheid binne 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks te bedink. / In this study it is asked whether freedom is still an ideal that is attainable and worthy of pursuit with reference to the work of Michel Foucault. This question is investigated in the light of the different views of the subject which Foucault developed, as well as his views on power and freedom. In conclusion the abovementioned question is answered with qualified affirmation, also with regard to the South African context, during and after Apartheid, and a brief attempt is made to think freedom in a South African context. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M.A. (Wysbegeerte)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word gevra of vryheid nog 'n haalbare en nastrewenswaardige ideaal is aan die hand van Michel Foucault se werk Die vraag word ondersoek in die lig van die verskillende sienings van die subjek wat Foucault ontwikkel het, sowel as sy sienings oor mag en vryheid. Ter gevolgtrekking word bogenoemde vraag gekwalifiseerd bevestigend beantwoord, ook met verwysing na die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, tydens en na Apartheid, en word kortliks gepoog om vryheid binne 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks te bedink. / In this study it is asked whether freedom is still an ideal that is attainable and worthy of pursuit with reference to the work of Michel Foucault. This question is investigated in the light of the different views of the subject which Foucault developed, as well as his views on power and freedom. In conclusion the abovementioned question is answered with qualified affirmation, also with regard to the South African context, during and after Apartheid, and a brief attempt is made to think freedom in a South African context. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.A. (Wysbegeerte)