Around 2,000 delegates started the conference with each province leading the hall in song.

Floyd Shivambu, who hosted the event, speaks in front of Dali Mpofu. All EFF leadership were to leave their positions on the stage on Sunday as voting for the top six positions took place.

EFF members sing in the red-draped hall at the University of Free State.

Fighters went wild to songs from Mbuyiseni Ndlovu and Julius Malema.

At the EFF’s first elective conference, Malema and his fellow leaders were determined to put the best of the party on display.

Malema’s wide-ranging political address claimed that EFF was the true representative of the poor.

Malema sings “kiss the boer” at the EFF conference on Sunday in Bloemfontein.

Malema addresses media at a press conference at the University of Free State.

Fighters sing on campus before proceedings get under way at the university. In the conference’s first morning, there were no incidents of conflict and the programme virtually ran on time.

The EFF has hired a private security company for the event, complete with riot helmets.

Delegates from Limpopo march through the EFF conference.

An EFF member sings as proceedings begin.

Floyd Shivambu, Julius Malema, Mpho Ramakatsa and others sing on stage.

A delegate looks over the conference. During a press conference, Malema claimed Zuma continues to say the ANC wants radical change because it’s challenged by the EFF.

Malema ditched his gumboots for the day, opting instead for blue loafers.

(All photos by Greg Nicolson, Mangaung, 14 December 2014.)