EFF will directly challenge ANC, says analyst after People’s Assembly

Four days of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF’s) second National People’s Assembly (NPA) in Nasrec Johannesburg, saw the party stick to its core leadership. 

Below the re-elected Commander in Chief, Julius Malema and the re-elected Deputy President, Floyd Shivambu, there was a significant reshuffle. 

Based on the eventful NPA, Radio 702 spoke to Political Analyst, Ralph Mathekga, and he said the party, in his opinion, is now able to take on the African National Congress (ANC) for the country’s leadership. 

EFF: Top six elected 

• Commander in Chief: Julius Malema (re-elected)
• Deputy President: Floyd Shivambu (re-elected)
• National Chairperson: Veronica Mente (replacing Adv. Dali Mpofu)
• Secretary General: Marshall Dlamini (replacing Godrich Gardee)
• Deputy Secretary General: : Poppy Raesibe Mailola (replacing Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi)
• Treasurer General: Umpile Maotwe (replacing Leigh-Ann Mathys)

Political analyst on EFF developments 

Mathekga explained that there was a sense of continuity within the EFF in terms of Malema and Shivambu holding their positions but the movement below them was significant for the party’s future. 

“There was a sense of continuity at the control of the EFF but also consolidation with Malema and Shivhambu holding on to their positions. But below them, there has been significant reshuffling,” said Mathekga. 

Dali Mpofu accepted a nomination to stand against Shivambu, but could not achieve the 30% threshold required. Mkhaliphi declined to be nominated for her former position and Gauteng EFF chairperson Mandisa Mashego accepted the nomination to contest against Dlamini but did not achieve the 30% threshold.

“The departure of Godrich Gardee and Dali Mpofu signifies a shift that says the EFF is not going to entertain people who are indifferent,” he added. 

Mathekga said this means that the EFF will take a “much more no-nonsense approach.”

“The EFF that came out of the national assembly is a very hard-line party. They are going to take on the African National Congress,” he added. 

Here’s why they will take on the ANC

Mathekga explained that after Zuma’s time as president, the EFF was in a wonderland and they weren’t quite sure of how to position themselves. However, he argues that now, during the time of Ramaphosa, they know where they stand.

“They will take on Ramaphosa and take on the white monopoly capital. They also said there will be no looting of Eskom in the form of privatisation and what that tells you is that they will take the ANC  head-on and challenge the ANC on policy. The president is already having a tough time with his own party,” said Mathekga. 

“This will be the main area of contestation. They (EFF) will be very radicalised. They need a party that will counter them and the Democratic Alliance (DA) is not able to do that job, they are more and more in wonderland, as we speak,” added Mathekga.