Julius Malema is set to secure another five year term as EFF leader this weekend with a leadership team stacked with loyalists as the party rebuilds after several high level defections to uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and an electoral loss that relegated it to fourth position in the National Assembly.
The party’s national support dropped to 9.5% in the May general elections from 10.8% in 2019 and was overtaken by the MK party as the country’s third-largest party.
The party has dismissed suggestions that the emergence of MK party and the defections to the Jacob Zuma led party, including its former deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, will have a lasting effect on its sustainability.
Though the emergence of MK is not on the formal list of discussions, which are scheduled to be conducted at its elective and policy conference this weekend, its impact on the EFF and other new political formations is expected to be featured.
MK celebrates its first birthday this weekend, coinciding with the EFF’s conference.
For the EFF, the conference is an opportunity to strategise on how to rebuild in time for the 2026 local government elections.
Malema has previously described MK as the EFF’s biggest enemy, ending any possibility of the two parties collaborating beyond parliament within the so-called progressive caucus.
Goodrich Gardee, the party’s former secretary-general, is expected to be elected as the new deputy president, replacing Shivambu who abruptly defected to MK in August. Dlamini is expected to retain his position as well as treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe.
Chair Veronica Mente is expected to be replaced by EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu while deputy secretary-general Poppy Mailola is expected to be replaced by the EFF’s spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys.
“We are confident that when we come out of here, the EFF will be stronger, and it will rise and take its rightful position to lead society and the country,” Dlamini said.
“We are not happy with our [electoral] performance in KwaZulu-Natal... We lost some votes in Gauteng but everywhere else in the country we have retained our votes.”
The announcement of the new leaders is expected on Sunday after the 2800 delegates have voted for the new leadership.
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