EFF Leadership Assembly at Nasrec: Julius Malema’s Address and Key Challenges

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are hosting their three-day National People’s Assembly (NPA) starting Friday at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto. The event will see the election of new leadership, including a successor to Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, who has joined Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

Over 2,500 delegates are expected to attend the assembly, where key discussions will revolve around the party’s preparations for the 2026 local government elections and strategies to regain lost ground after a decline in the May 29 general elections. The EFF struggled to retain voter support, overshadowed by the rise of the MKP in key areas like KwaZulu-Natal.

EFF President Julius Malema is set to deliver the keynote address on Friday, outlining the party’s strategic priorities and the significance of the conference. His address will be followed on Saturday by outgoing Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini, who will present the organisational report. This report will assess the party’s performance over the past five years, highlighting achievements and challenges.

One of the primary concerns is the EFF’s declining voter base, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Speaking on Thursday, Dlamini acknowledged the party’s poor performance in the province, which he attributed to growing support for Zuma’s MKP.

“We are not happy with our performance in KZN, and we have said so,” Dlamini admitted. “The leadership has been engaging with members to address the decline and strategize for future success.”

Despite setbacks in KZN and Gauteng, Dlamini expressed satisfaction with the EFF’s ability to retain its voter base in other regions, emphasizing the party’s resilience over the past decade.

The conference began on a contentious note during registration on Thursday at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus. The absence of former EFF spokesperson and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi raised questions about potential internal disputes. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, it has fueled speculation about party dynamics ahead of the elections.

Following Friday’s public proceedings, the nomination and election of new leaders will take place behind closed doors on Saturday. This marks a pivotal moment for the party as it seeks to strengthen its leadership and chart a path forward in the evolving political landscape.

As the EFF commemorates a decade since its founding, the National People’s Assembly represents both a reflection on its achievements and a recalibration for future growth.

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