Inside the National People’s Assembly: Where is Mbuyiseni Ndlozi?

As the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) sit for their third National People’s Assembly (NPA), there seems to be no sight of MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

The party has provided no clarity on his attendance amid reports last month that he would be banned from the gathering. The EFF said at the time that he was a member of the party in good standing and was allowed to attend.

While over 2 000 party delegates are in attendance at the elective conference, the gaze has been on Ndlozi because of suggestions he may soon join the exodus to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

Former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and advocate Dali Mpofu are among those who have left the red berets in recent months.

Gauteng EFF chairperson Nkululeko Dunga used his opening address at the conference to slam those who had left the party.

One of the first orders of business on Friday was also the delivery of a political report on the state of the EFF, including their performance in May’s national elections.

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%.

Malema’s address will come on the second day of the party’s third National People’s Assembly (NPA). The conference will choose the party’s leaders over the next five years and formulate party policies.

‘Well-oiled machine’

On Thursday, the party’s secretary general Marshal Dlamini told reporters that the political report would set the tone for the conference.

Dlamini said the EFF is running a “well-oiled machine” and most delegates to the conference have registered without any problems.

“The organisation has received all delegates, which are made up of branch delegates from across the country, with 66% of the delegation being female.

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“All the buses transporting our delegates from across the country have safely arrived. Not a single bus remains on the road, and every delegate is ready to participate.”

He described this as a testament to the discipline, commitment, and organisational orderliness that “defines” the EFF.

Dlamini said there will be 13 commissions to address issues such as land and agrarian reform, the economy, gender equality and organisational character and redesign.

“Following the opening address, we will present and adopt the rules, guidelines, and procedures of the National People’s Assembly.”

On Saturday the EFF will go through an election process to elect their new leaders for the next five years.

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