LIVE: EFF NPA: Floyd has been replaced
Godrich Gardee has been elected as the new EFF deputy president.
A clearly ecstatic EFF commander-in-chief Julius Malema was elected for his third term. Picture: Facebook/Economic Freedom Fighters
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) third National People’s Assembly (NPA) is in progress at Nasrec in Johannesburg from Thursday to Sunday. Around 2,000 delegates from all provinces attend the NPA.
Last night, the party elected its leadership at the assembly for the next five years. As was expected, Julius Malema was elected for his third term as chief-in-commander.
06:00 Floyd Shivambu’s defect to the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party left a void that Godrich Gardee filled.
♦️In Pictures♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
The EFF Newly elected Deputy President, Godrich Gardee. #EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/Yx7pUhT1fB
Marshall Dlamini will continue for another term as the party’s secretary-general.
Nontando Nolutshungu was elected as the party’s national chairperson.
Omphile Maotwe is the party’s newly elected treasurer-general.
Leigh-Ann Mathys was elected as the EFF’s new deputy secretary-general.
#EFFNPA2024 https://t.co/p89InnyeUo
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
21:00 Gardee nominated uncontested
Julius Malema’s close ally, Godrich Gardee has been nominated for the position of deputy president of the party uncontested.
There had been a woman from Mpumalanga who had nominated herself, but she did not meet the threshold.
Malema has also been nominated for the position of uncontested party president.
Martial Dlamini has been nominated for the position of party secretary-general.
Leigh-Ann Mathys has been nominated uncontested for the position of deputy secretary general.
Marshall Dlamini has been nominated uncontested for the position of secretary general.
Omphile Maotwe has been nominated uncontested for the position of party ture general.
Saturday 14 December
18:30 Delegates to vote on Saturday night
Delegates are expected to vote for party leaders on Saturday night, after which the results will be announced on Sunday morning.
♦️Must Watch♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
The Elections Committee making sure that everything is ready ahead of the elections of officials today.
Watch it live on our social media platforms.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/QWFtB8CHtJ
16:37 Update on the EFF’s leader election
Update on EFF's leadership election. #EFF #NPA #JuliusMalema
— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) December 14, 2024
Click here to learn more: https://t.co/6pOoiU4JLQ pic.twitter.com/SD5UfKYeZL
15:18 Analyst: Malema and his ‘anointed’ set to continue as leaders of the EFF
Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, a political analyst from the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), told The Citizen on Saturday that Julius Malema is likely to come back as EFF leader once again.
On Saturday, the party will elect its new leaders to steer the party over the next five years.
Should Malema be re-elected, this will be his third term as the party’s leader.
Breakfast said it is clear that the winners will be all who have been “anointed” by Malema.
“If you look at the kind of leaders that stand to emerge, they are the ones that Malema has anointed.
Read the full story here: ‘Malema and his ‘anointed’ set to continue as leaders of the EFF’
13:26 EFF will not change its stance on a borderless Africa, says Malema
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says he still believes in a borderless Africa despite criticism of the party’s foreign policy.
Malema maintains that he does not believe in borders in Africa.
“They were made by white people at the Berlin conference 100 years ago. We need a borderless Africa like we have a borderless Europe.
“The EFF is not asking for something that is not done elsewhere in the world. We need free movement of goods and persons,” he said.
Read the full story here: EFF will not change its stance on a borderless Africa says Malema
12:48 ‘We are done talking about Ndlozi,’ agitated Malema tells reporters at NPA
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema has issued an instruction to the party’s senior leaders to stop speaking about Dr Mbuyiseni Nldozi in public.
It is still unclear if Ndlozi has been accredited as a delegate for the conference.
However, Malema told the media that Ndlozi was simply an individual within the EFF and nothing more.
Read the full story here: ‘We are done talking about Ndlozi,’ says agitated Malema
10:20 Summary of the political report delivered by Malema on Friday
♦️Must Read♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
The EFF’s President and Commander-in-Chief @Julius_S_Malema presented an historic, revolutionary and powerful Political Report at the EFF’s Third National Assembly.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/0mUVIopAX0
#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/4V2bNp9I2t
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
09:14 We will not have illiterate leaders in our party – Malema
The EFF’s leadership elections scheduled for Saturday afternoon will be a significant event for the party, as it will determine the leadership structure for the next phase of its political journey. These elections are critical, as the leadership of the EFF, particularly its president, plays a crucial role in guiding the party’s policies and strategies. It’s also essential in determining its ability to challenge the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Malema is expected to secure re-election as commander-in-chief.
Meanwhile, EFF senior member and former spokesperson Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was absent from the NPA. He was not seen on Thursday at the accreditation of delegates at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus and was absent on Friday. Party secretary-general Marshall Dlamini has stated that the conference cannot be centred around his presence.
♦️Must Watch♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
President and Commander-in-Chief @Julius_S_Malema answering questions on party funding, business donors, borders and immigration earlier today at the Third National People's Assembly media briefing. #EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/DjAggs9F8p
At a media briefing on Saturday morning, Malema said he would not answer questions about Ndlozi’s absence again. “You can discuss it amongst yourselves, but don’t bring it to us. He is not here. We will no longer talk about people who think they are bigger than the party.”
Dlamini said that 2026 delegates will be voting on Saturday afternoon. “This means that 90% of our delegates are present. This high number of attendance shows how committed our members are,” he said.
Asked about the EFF’s policy that only educated individuals would be considered for leadership roles, Malema said that uneducated people would not govern the party. “We will not have illiterate leaders. When you go to school, you are preparing to govern.”
MALEMA: We are NOT going to answer the question about Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. You have got his Number, and some of you talk to him. Call Him.#EFFNPA2024
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 14, 2024
Friday 13 December
19:00 EFF sets out rules for lobbying ahead of leadership election
Ahead of the leadership election on Saturday, rules on lobbying were set out to delegates.
The EFF does not allow delegates to bring banners, posters or placards in support or against any member
Delegates are not allowed to brand cars and bear or display any posters or materials in support of or against any member, nor may they display/wear T-shirts or posters to support or campaign against any member.
It is strictly forbidden to speak to the media about any issue in the assembly without authorisation by the Steering Committee.
The party also banned raising and using funds and other resources to campaign for election and distributing money to EFF members and structures as part of a campaign for the leadership election.
Furthermore, it is prohibited to promise positions or other incentives or threaten to withhold such as a means of gaining support.
It is also prohibited to use the media to promote a particular list of candidates or to spread malicious rumours, falsehoods, or allegations against those with whom delegates disagree.
16:00 Dlamini to present the organisational report on Saturday
The afternoon section of the assembly was conducted behind closed doors.
The party’s outgoing secretary-general, Marshall Dlamini, will present the organisational report to the delegates on Saturday morning. Dlamini’s report will provide an overview of the party’s current state and evaluate its performance, highlighting the challenges and accomplishments of the past five years.
The nomination and election of the party’s new leaders will take place on Saturday afternoon.
15:55 Artists entertain the delegates
♦️Happening Now♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
Performances by cultural groups have commenced at the 3rd NPA.
First up, we have the Zulu culture on stage.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/2knRbUZIXp
♦️Must Watch♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
The EFF Leadership and delegates enjoyed performances by various artists and cultural groups earlier today at the EFF 3rd NPA.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/abm4LtMdQj
15:00 Malema shares heartfelt moment
14:03 Malema on elections
MALEMA: We relied on the spirit, commitment, and dedication of Fighters and ground forces, as well as the experience of the 2014 and 2019 national and provincial elections, and the 2016 municipal elections, to contest against 324 political parties, including independent…
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
MALEMA: It was these votes that gave us a total of 1,066 municipal council seats, increasing the organisation’s seats by 240. While this was not what we hoped for, we increased the number of ward seats we won from 11 in 2016 to 19.#EFFNPA2024
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
13:55 Malema on national shutdown
MALEMA: The National Shutdown was made possible by the unwavering commitment and hard work of our Commissars and ground forces, who mobilized communities and organized actions that shook the foundations of the establishment. #EFFNPA2024
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
13:32 One day, we would have to take up arms – Malema
In his opening speech, Malema said the EFF must prepare its members so that they are not deterred by violence.
“Violence is inevitable if South Africa is to be truly transformed,” Malema said. “It is impossible to transform a society that was born in violence without violence.”
He further said that one day, the “fighters” would have to take up arms in the struggle against injustice.
12:05 EFF leader Julius Malema welcomes the delegates and guests at the assembly
11:50 Delegates sing and dance in front of the stage
11:32 A rabbi from the Lemba tribe blesses the assembly (video three)
♦️Must Watch♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
Different Organisations Giving Their Well-Wishes at the 3rd EFF National People’s Assembly (NPA).
These expressions of goodwill reaffirm the unity of purpose among those fighting for liberation and justice.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/zltyKjVEmn
10:30 A sangoma blesses the assembly
♦️In Pictures♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 13, 2024
Traditional leaders summoning the ancestors in a powerful spiritual ceremony, grounding the EFF 3rd National People’s Assembly in African heritage and unity.#EFFNPA2024 pic.twitter.com/wr1xEzeRyF
10:20 Nkosi Sikelel’ Africa
All the delegates sang Nkosi Sikelel’ Africa, but Die Stem was excluded, as according to the EFF, it reminds “fighters” of apartheid.
Delegates sang this version:
10:10 Dunga criticises members who have departed
EFF Gauteng provincial chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, has criticized the departure of key members, including former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, describing it as a case of “selfish ambition over the collective liberation.”
Dunga acknowledged that the loss of these prominent members posed a significant challenge to the party.
In his opening remarks, while welcoming the delegates, Dunga acknowledged that the resignation of members is both a setback and an ongoing challenge for the party.
10:00 Delegates arrive at the conference room
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