Monday, 16 December 2024.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) proudly concludes the Third National People’s Assembly (NPA), a resounding success and a true reflection of the radical, democratic, and disciplined character of our revolutionary movement. This assembly reaffirms our commitment to our founding principles and the pursuit of economic freedom in our lifetime, as we embark on the next decisive five years of struggle.

The NPA began on the 12th of December 2024 and concluded today on the 15th of December 2024 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Delegates, drawn from branches across the country, converged in their thousands, reflecting the broad, mass-based nature of our movement. Notably, 66% of the delegation was female, highlighting the EFF’s dedication to advancing gender equity in leadership and participation.

The assembly officially opened on the 12th of December 2024 with a seamless and highly organised accreditation process. Out of the 2,243 expected voting delegates, 2,026 delegates were accredited successfully, constituting 90% of the total voting delegation. This smooth process is a testament to the meticulous planning and discipline within the EFF. Delegates arrived safely from all provinces and regions, with no incidents reported, affirming the EFF’s ability to ensure order and security during its gatherings. A media briefing was held, led by the Officials, as we welcomed all accredited media and gave a rundown of the NPA and what to expect over the next few days.

Day 2 of the Assembly, the 13^th of December 2024, began the next morning with a revolutionary welcome by the host province’s Provincial Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga. Delegates were also greeted by messages of solidarity from traditional leaders, political organisations, and comrades across Africa, demonstrating that the EFF’s struggle is both continental and global in its impact.

The main event of the day, the Political Report delivered by the President and Commander-in-Chief, Julius Malema, then ensued. In his report, reiterated the EFF ideological orientation;  reflected on the Annual Themes and Programmes of the EFF over the years; spoke to the success of the Regional People’s Assemblies, commended the EFF’s parliament work; the organisation’s insistence of the issues of land reform and the fight for economic justice; provided an analysis on international relations and Pan-Africanism; our performance in elections and our political arrangements over the years; presented an overview of the state of the nation and what a progressive government should be.

Lastly, he expressed gratitude to all delegates, members, his family, and supporters of the EFF for their dedication. He saluted the leadership structures for their discipline and revolutionary spirit, urging the movement to remain united as the EFF enters the next phase of struggle. Delegates subsequently engaged rigorously with the Political Report, demonstrating the intellectual depth and revolutionary commitment of the EFF. The robust contributions and reflections from branches signalled that the EFF remains firmly rooted in the aspirations of the masses.

Following these discussions, the Central Command Team (CCT) convened to receive the credentials report. The report was delivered by the Credentials Committee, chaired by our former Deputy Secretary-General, Poppy Mailola, and supported by Provincial Secretaries. Furthermore, the NPA rules and procedures were also presented and adopted.

Day 3 began with a press briefing that summarised the outcomes of the second day, central to which was the Political Report from the President and Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema. This was followed by a closed session where the Secretary General Marshall Dlamini, delivered a comprehensive Organisational Report, detailing the milestones, challenges, and victories of the past five years.

The Treasurer General Omphile Maotwe, then presented the Treasurer General Report, on the state of organisation finances, which demonstrated that despite difficult conditions and attack by capitalist racist establishment, the organisation handled its finances processes well, accounted to members for every cent received and spent, and protected the assets of organisation.

Both reports were engaged with robustly, as delegates tackled their contents with revolutionary clarity, ensuring the EFF remains a transparent and people-driven organisation. The session continued with a presentation of constitutional amendments by the Secretary General, leading to vibrant discussions and the adoption of changes that will strengthen the EFF’s structures and operations as we prepare to advance our revolutionary agenda with greater precision.

After the constitutional amendments were adopted by the Third NPA to increase the number of additional members of the Central Command Team from 40 to 60, the National Chairperson of the session handed over to the Elections Committee, convened and chaired by Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC together with IEMSA, who immediately declared an end to the term of the 2nd Central Command Team, and started the nominations and elections of new crop of leadership of the Third NPA Central Command Team.

The election process began with the nomination of the Top Six Officials, conducted under the supervision of the Elections Committee and the Independent Electoral Management Services in Africa (IEMSA). The Third NPA Officials were elected uncontested. The following Officials have been democratically elected, mandated as the revolutionary vanguard to guide the organisation through the next decisive five years — a period that will solidify our struggle for economic emancipation, dismantle the remnants of colonial and apartheid systems, and advance the fight for a just and equal society:

• ⁠ ⁠President: Julius Malema
• ⁠ ⁠Deputy President: Godrich Gardee
• ⁠ ⁠National Chairperson: Nontando Nolutshungu
• ⁠ ⁠Secretary General: Marshall Dlamini
• ⁠ ⁠Deputy Secretary General: Leigh-Ann Mathys
• ⁠ ⁠Treasurer General: Omphile Maotwe

The assembly then proceeded with the nomination process for the additional members of the CCT, which went smoothly and without incident, as we moved towards completing the leadership collective that will guide the organisation into the future. The night ended with a social event for the delegates

The fourth and final day began with the thirteen focused commissions, where delegates engaged vigorously with critical topics outlined in our discussion documents. These commissions addressed issues of policy direction, ideological clarity, organisational restructuring, and the strategic mandate of the EFF for the next five years. The commissions consisted of the following topics:

1. Organisational Character and Re-design
2. Land and Agrarian Reform
3. On Gender Struggles
4. Media, Communications and the Battle of Ideas
5. Health and Social Development
6. Education
7. Pan-Africanism and Progressive Internationalism
8. The Economy
9. State Capacity
10. Justice, Peace and Security
11. Sports, Arts and Culture
12. Governance
13. Financing the Revolution

The outcomes of the robust debates in the commissions were consolidated into new resolutions, which were presented and decisively adopted during a final closed session. The elected additional member of the CCT were then formally announced by the IEMSA, and we are proud to announce the list as follows:

We extend congratulations to the newly elected CCT members and wish them success in their critical organisational responsibilities. May they lead with integrity, courage, and their leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the EFF’s structures and inspire the movement to achieve greater victories in the fight for equality and liberation.

Further solidarity was shown by members of the embassies of other countries including the Republic of China, and political organisations, including a message from the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) of Eswatini, and Mmusi Maimane of Build One South Africa (BOSA).

The EFF’s Third NPA was declared by the Secretary General Marshall Dlamini, who reflected keenly on the key discussions and resolutions of the NPA. The proceedings were subsequently concluded by the President and Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema who delivered a revolutionary message, emphasising to newly elected leaders the true nature of CCT members as disciplined, principled leaders committed to the movement’s mission. He addressed resolutions that emerged from the commissions, highlighting their importance in advancing the EFF’s goals while calling out the biased and inattentive nature of the media that seeks to undermine the organisation.

The President boldly declared the EFF’s refusal to be intimidated by white supremacists and reaffirmed the organisation’s stance on policies like the BELA Bill which we will make sure advances. He reiterated the vision to build the EFF School as a transformative institution for the poor and expressed the organisation’s readiness to reconcile with eNCA while strengthening its communication platforms, professionalising the EFF podcast, and broadening its topics and reach.

Calling on all fighters to commit to building and expanding EFF structures across the country, CIC encouraged delegates to reject factional politics that could destroy the movement. He encouraged members to treat one another with respect, stand firm in the face of adversity, and uphold the radical principles that define the organisation. Declaring the EFF unstoppable and reinvigorated, CIC affirmed that the movement has once again defied the odds and will continue and never die.

The President reiterated that the EFF is fully prepared to govern this country with a clear, uncompromising vision for economic freedom and justice. As the so-called Government of National Unity, led by white supremacists and captured interests, inevitably collapses under the weight of its contradictions and failures, the EFF stands ready to step in and provide decisive, corruption-free leadership.

Finally, he passionately concluded that the EFF remains unshaken, not beholden to corporate elites or any political puppeteers, making it the only force capable of restoring dignity, equality, and true democracy to the people of South Africa. In the 2026 local government elections, we will seize power, ensure tangible service delivery, and prioritise the needs of the people above all else. The time for transformation is near, and the EFF will rise to take power and lead South Africa towards economic emancipation.

The successful conclusion of the Third NPA of the EFF, peacefully and incident free, stands as a powerful demonstration of our movement’s internal democracy, revolutionary clarity, and organisational discipline. We have silenced critics and disproved the doomsayers who have consistently labelled the organisation as disorganised, biased, or authoritarian.

The next five years of the EFF will now occur with ideological and organisational clarity with determined intention to defend, rebuild and advance the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572