ANCYL President Calls for EFF to Join ANC Following Ndlozi’s Resignation

Collen Malatji, the President of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), has called for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to “close shop” and unite with the African National Congress (ANC) following the resignation of Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from Parliament. Malatji’s remarks, made during the Progressive Business Forum event in the Western Cape, were in response to Ndlozi’s departure, which had stirred speculation about the future of the EFF and its internal dynamics.

Malatji suggested that the EFF should dissolve its operations and join the ANC to strengthen the national democratic revolution. “I have already started the work. I have said it in public. It’s not new. We have invited the EFF to close shop and come home so that we can unite everyone behind a national democratic revolution,” he remarked.

When asked if he had personally reached out to Ndlozi, Malatji confirmed he had extended an invitation, saying, “I’ve called him already.” The statement highlighted the ANC’s ongoing efforts to consolidate support, especially within youth-focused political movements.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, while attending the event, responded to Malatji’s call in a lighthearted manner, joking, “His equal-age colleague has called him already, so that’s enough.” Ramaphosa’s comment underscored the growing tensions between the ANC and EFF as both parties aim to influence the political landscape.

Ndlozi’s resignation from Parliament followed a series of events that indicated growing friction between him and EFF leader Julius Malema. Sources suggest that tensions had been escalating within the party, particularly following Ndlozi’s exclusion from the National People’s Assembly (NPA) last year. His departure comes amid a wave of resignations within the party, including that of former Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, who left to join Jacob Zuma’s newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP) party.

The EFF, which has been a vocal advocate for economic justice and social change, saw both Ndlozi and Yazini Tetyana step down from their parliamentary duties. “The EFF has received the voluntary resignation of Fighter Yazini Tetyana and Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi as representatives of the EFF in the Parliament of South Africa,” EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys confirmed. “The party has accepted their respective voluntary requests to be released from deployment.”

Ndlozi and Tetyana had been prominent voices for the party in Parliament since its inception in 2013, and their resignations mark the end of an era for the EFF. The party praised their contributions and acknowledged their role as exemplary public representatives.

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