Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
11 December 2024 | 17:30 CAT
3 min read

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are gearing up for their national elective conference, set to begin tomorrow. Julius Malema is widely expected to secure a third term as the party’s leader, facing little to no opposition. However, this conference comes at a challenging time for Malema, as the party grapples with the fallout from the departure of key leaders to the MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, whom Malema recently described as the EFF’s “biggest enemy.”

Political analyst Khanyi Magubane notes that this will likely be one of Malema’s most difficult conferences, as the EFF not only navigates the absence of former deputy president Floyd Shivambu but also undertakes a critical introspection of its political future in South Africa. Beyond the election of positions, much more is at stake for the party. “Malema has to continue to have the confidence of his members that he’s still the right leader for the party. And I think that the EFF, in this particular election or in this conference, is going to really, self-examine,” she said.

She noted that the party is considering a redesign of its structures, including discussions about replacing the student command with a broader youth command. “So they’re going back to the drawing table, and they’re finding ways in which to continue having relevance, politically as they do such in political, I would say, exile or in the periphery of the political events right now, and they want to find themselves back in the center, back where things are happening,” she said.

This week will be a pivotal moment for the EFF. Reflecting on the challenges of a disappointing election performance and recent defections, the big question remains: What is the best outcome for the EFF from this conference?

Magubane believes that the best-case scenario may involve Julius Malema securing another term as party leader. She suggests that this term could serve as an opportunity to rebuild the EFF’s leadership and strengthen its internal structures, ensuring the party is better positioned for future political challenges. “You know, the leadership vacuum in the party, not just the defectors to MK, but people who are standing up and saying I want to be a party. Malema himself will have to look at how he handles issues. Sometimes he’s very militant in his reaction and in the ways that he does things,” she said.

She questioned how Julius Malema could regain favour with his women’s electorate, noting that the recent controversy surrounding Naledi Chirwa had been a significant issue. She highlighted that the incident had negatively impacted the EFF’s support among women voters, making it a critical matter for Malema to address moving forward.

She observed that Godrich Gardee is a key figure to watch as the EFF’s elective conference unfolds. “You can never truly predict outcomes until the results are announced,” she noted, but Gardee appears to be positioning himself as a trusted ally to Julius Malema and a strong candidate for the deputy presidency. She added that Gardee is likely not aiming for the presidency but is instead focused on securing the deputy role, filling the void left by Floyd Shivambu.

Turning to Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, she suggested that he needs to evaluate where he fits within the party’s structure. “If he remains in the EFF, he should step up and take on a bigger role. Otherwise, he’s free to pursue other ventures,” she remarked. While there was speculation that Ndlozi might leave the party, he has shown a desire to stay, presenting an opportunity for him to prove his commitment and relevance within the EFF’s leadership.

She highlighted that the party is engaging in a SWOT analysis, examining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This self-reflection is expected to dominate the agenda during the conference.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Political analyst Khanyi Magubane, here.