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Cheers for Malema: Inside the EFF’s third National People’s Assembly
EFF's highest-decision-making conference will sit this weekend.
The EFF’s elective conference will be held this weekend. Picture: Itumeleng Mafisa
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from across the country have descended on the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus to register for the party’s third National People’s Assembly.
The Assembly, the highest-decision-making conference, will sit this weekend at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Among the issues on the agenda will be the election of leadership, party structures, and the possible reformation of its Student Command.
The EFF lost its status as South Africa’s third biggest party in May’s national elections to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. The Red Berets garnered 3 090 020 votes or 9.52% of the national vote. While it got more votes than in the 2019 national election, its share of the vote dropped from 10.8%.
It is this decline that a conference discussion document said was characteristic of a “stagnant or declining” organisation.
The MK party and other black leftist parties have eaten into EFF support, and a response is expected to draw fervent and heated debates.
While some have advocated for the party to merge with the MK party, leader Julius Malema has rubbished the idea.
ALSO READ: ‘Strategic friends’: Parties, including EFF, invited to MK party’s anniversary rally – Shivambu
ID, please
So far, the only heat at the conference has been from the sun.
The campus parking lot was a buzz of activity when The Citizen arrived on Thursday morning. Chatter and jubilant singing filled the air as busses offloaded members, competing with the sound of wheels from bags on tar.
As temperatures soared, delegates rushed from airconned vehicles towards the main entrance of an auditorium.
WATCH: Delegates stand in line to register
WATCH: Delegates line up to register on the first day of the #EFF 's third National People's Assembly. #TheCitizenNews #EFFNPA2024
— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) December 12, 2024
📷: Itumeleng Mafisa pic.twitter.com/XwboqR2M9h
In the comfort of the shade, two lines of EFF volunteers dressed in military regalia formed a tunnel. They greeted attendees and asked for identification.
Once inside the building, delegates were searched by security and directed to stalls where they registered.
Aside from these and a few private gatherings, the auditorium was empty.
Prominent members who have so far registered for the conference include EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini and National Chairperson Veronica Mente.
Dlamini arrived just before midday to much excitement.
WATCH: Marshall Dlamini’s arrival
WATCH: #EFF secretary-general #MarshallDlamini arrives at UJ's Soweto campus to register for the EFF's third National People's Assembly. #TheCitizenNews #EFFNPA2024
📷: Itumeleng Mafisa pic.twitter.com/MKEe99itF4— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) December 12, 2024
He walked fast but casually as he greeted EFF officials who explained to him that registration was running smoothly and no incidents had been reported.
Member of Parliament Makoti Khawula arrived around the same time and told The Citizen she was “excited” and predicted “a good conference”.
The path was cleared for party leader Julius Malema when he arrived just after 3pm but delegates still rushed to see their leader as he went through the building to register.
He greeted all in attendance and got his accreditation within minutes.
He was escorted by party officials towards the exit and went in a convoy to Nasrec, where he is expected to hold a briefing
WATCH: Malema’s registration
ALSO READ: EFF faces the numbers at national assembly: Stagnation threatens revolution
Beating the heat
Once registered, delegates were given tags signalling their voting status and accreditation to attend.
They then left the building.
Some delegates told The Citizen that they were going back to their hotel to refresh, while others hung around and found relief drinking water from taps on campus.
They complained that the temperature of the water was too hot and would have preferred bottled water.
This is a developing story
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