EFF leader Julius Malema. [Image: Freddy Mavunda/Business Day]
There is little doubt that Julius Malema will continue to run the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) after the party’s elective conference this weekend. So says a political analyst.
More than 2500 delegates will converge at Nasrec, Johannesburg, to choose their next commander-in-chief. Professor Sam Khama, a governance expert, predicts a third term for founder Malema.
“Prior to this event, we have not seen open lobbying, open campaigning, for these leadership positions. It has been a process that seems to be stage managed, tightly controlled by the party boss and those who are close to him,” he told Salaamedia on Thursday.
Malema and Floyd Shivambu, both former ANC members, founded the party in 2013. Shivambu has since led defectors to the rival uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), while Malema has tightened his grip on the Marxist-Leninist venture.
Khoma said it was crucial for delegates to “strengthen internal democratic practices” if they wanted to resuscitate the party. Support for EFF slipped in May, when voters relegated it to fourth position nationally.
“That is the only way the party will be able to grow. That is the only way the party will be able to attract new members into its fold and ensure that it does re-energise and be able to become a competitive party in elections.”
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