By Simon Nare
EFF leader Julius Malema told conference delegates on Friday that the party was gathering at a difficult time marked by electoral decline and what he described as “infiltration and sabotage”.
Malema was reflecting on the parlous state of the organisation over the past five years at the EFF’s third National People’s Assembly.
Over 2000 delegates are attending the elective conference taking place at the Nasrec near Soweto.
“Fellow Fighters, our presence here, after deliberate and coordinated efforts to destroy us, is another sign that the African spirit can never be broken,” Malema told delegates.
“We are faced with a new moment wherein the EFF experienced its first electoral decline and suffered unprecedented levels of sabotage and infiltration. It is for this reason, delegates, that the theme for this NPA is: ‘Defend, Rebuild and Advance the Struggle for Economic Freedom’.”
In recent months, the EFF has been rocked by resignations of senior leaders, including former national chairperson Advocate Dali Mpofu, who has since joined a growing list of members who have left the party to join Jacob Zuma’s-led uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party.
Other high-profile members who left the party include former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, as well as former MPs Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Mzwanele Manyi.
Malema said the EFF had, over the past five years, refused to stand by and ignore what was going wrong in the country.
He acknowledged the decline of the party during the 2024 national and provincial elections. However, there were some gains, he argued.
“We contested all 4468 municipal wards and received more than 3.2 million votes. Not only did we maintain our 2016 electoral support, but more importantly, we increased it,” said Malema.
“These votes secured us a total of 1066 municipal council seats, an increase of 240 seats. While this was not what we hoped for, we increased the number of ward seats we won from 11 in 2016 to 19.”
Malema slammed the ANC’s decision not to form a coalition with the EFF after it failed to secure a majority in the May elections, accusing the ruling party of aligning with what he called “historical enemies”.
He further alleged that a narrative has emerged post-elections portraying the EFF as a national threat.
“When ideas are lost, blackmail and swart gevaar become the strategy,” he said.
“We are told that if the EFF is in government, it will be doomsday for the people of South Africa. We stand here resilient, fearless, and determined to attain the goals and objectives of the millions who have come before us, who died fighting against colonial domination and exploitation.”
Malema pointed out the Phala Phala case involving President Cyril Ramaphosa, which was recently heard at the Constitutional Court, as an example of the EFF holding political leaders accountable.
He reminded the delegates that the integrity of the judiciary was paramount.
“We must protect the ideal of the rule of law and the Constitutional supremacy especially in volatile situations, even if it means paying a visit to try and convince a former president to comply with the Constitutional Court and the Zondo Commission,” he said.
Party members were also reminded to stay vigilant as there would be attempts to discredit the EFF’s achievements as non-existent or disruptive.
He added that this was because the agenda was to undermine that which capital did not control.
“We must expect an aggressive onslaught from captains of industry and their media puppets. We have seen this especially since we celebrated a decade of existence at FNB Stadium, where we united more than 120,000 people under one roof, as a symbol of the common purpose and unity we share as a movement,” said Malema.
“So, no one, Commissars and Fighters, has any ideological basis to call the EFF authoritarian. The very capitalist system we live under thrives on authority, and it is the authority of the few.”
The elective congress enters its second day on Saturday, with the election of the EFF’s top leaders expected to take place.
It remains uncertain whether Julius Malema will face a challenger for the position of president.
However, the singing and chants on the first day of the conference suggest strong support for Malema to secure a third term.
According to party insiders, outgoing EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini is expected to contest for the position of deputy president.
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