EFF leader Julius Malema. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lubabalo Lesolle) 
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is still reeling from its poor performance in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) during the recent general elections, where its support dwindled dramatically. Nearly three months after the elections, the party is actively trying to understand and rectify the causes behind its significant loss of votes in the province.
Led by Julius Malema, the EFF’s Central Command Team – the party’s highest decision-making body between its national assemblies – convened in KZN over the weekend.
The visit included crucial Central Command Team meetings as well as its “war council” on Friday, 23 August 2024, followed by regional general assemblies across the province. This was part of a broader effort to address the party’s declining influence in KZN, a province that once held considerable promise for the EFF.
In the sixth administration, the EFF had eight members in the KZN provincial legislature. However, the recent elections reduced this number to just two, with the party’s vote share plummeting from 10% to 2%.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini emphasised the urgency of regaining lost ground during meetings with local branches.
“We lost votes, and we need those votes back,” Dlamini said.
“KZN is our province, and we will never give up on it. We are here to do that work.”
The MK factor
Last week, the ANC’s National Working Committee, which includes the party’s top officials, also visited all its KZN regions following the party’s electoral decline, which saw the ANC becoming the third-biggest party in the province, down from first.
Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party rose from nowhere and took votes from everyone in KZN, including the ANC and EFF. The MK party won more than 45% of the vote in KZN, while the province’s previous ruling party, the ANC, managed just 18%.
The EFF’s visit coincided with the funeral of Mama Twala, the mother of the EFF KZN provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala. On Sunday, Malema addressed the funeral attendees, acknowledging the severe impact of the newly formed MK party.
“That tsunami hit everyone in KZN,” Malema said, referring to the MK party’s sweeping success in the province.
“That tsunami was ruthless. The old man in Nkandla shocked all of us, but we will never allow that shock to happen again.”
The EFF is on shaky ground following the recent departure of its co-founder and former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who joined the MK party. This has compounded the EFF’s internal challenges.
Read more: Malema hardens stance on Shivambu, says EFF members with ‘personal agendas’ should leave too
Malema, while speaking to supporters, criticised the move and expressed disappointment in Shivambu’s decision.
Taking a swipe at Zuma, who, after announcing Shivambu as the MK party’s national organiser, called for unity among progressive forces. Malema said black unity was necessary but not under the “old man”.
“What does the old man have to do with the future? A black unity must be led by the youth such as Mongezi who are part of a solid organisation with solid policies.”
Read more: Shivambu gets key role as national organiser – MK Party announces National High Command
He urged EFF members to remain steadfast: “Every organisation that is going to stand the test of time must go through the eye of the needle. These are challenging moments because this organisation of ours is a living organisation which from time to time will go through the necessary contradictions to propel a movement forward.”
Screenshot volleys
EFF members have been engaging in spats on social media after Shivambu’s response to Malema’s attacks on him.
Malema, while addressing a gathering of party supporters in Orlando, Soweto, last week, launched a volley of attacks on Shivambu, saying he had betrayed him.
Shivambu responded on Thursday by first suggesting that parties like the EFF were small, unviable organisations, adding this was not sustainable for the future of black people in South Africa. Shivambu took a dig at Malema, who he suggested characterised his exit from the EFF as all about himself.
Read more: The brotherhood is over between Malema and Shivambu
EFF Student Command president Sihle Lonzi has started referring to Shivambu as “Floyd VBS Shivambu” on social media, posting screenshots of messages between them, arguing over what Lonzi had posted previously.
Floyd VBS Shivambu will never divide the EFFSC.
He claims he created it “single-handedly”.
He is a liar! The EFFSC is a product of the #FeesMustFall generation, and many young activists who sacrificed everything fighting for black youth.
He is a divisive crook, and we see him!
— Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi) August 24, 2024
Daily Maverick journalist Pauli van Wyk has for years been writing about Shivambu and Malema’s alleged involvement in the demise of VBS Bank, something that the party has continuously denied.
Dlamini defended Lonzi, saying he was mandated by the EFF’s constitution to defend the organisation when it was under attack. DM