Key Moments in the History of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), founded in 2013 by Julius Malema, have had a decade marked by radical politics, controversy, and significant milestones as they head to their third elective conference. The party emerged after Malema's expulsion from the ANC, transitioning from a movement to a political party, and registering with the IEC with over 1,000 members. Their debut in the 2014 national elections saw them secure 6.35% of the vote, amounting to 4.09 million votes.
Internal divisions surfaced in 2015, with prominent members such as Andile Mngxitama and Mpho Ramakatsa expelled amid accusations of authoritarian leadership by Malema. Despite criticism, Malema defended these actions, emphasizing the need for discipline within the party. The same year, the EFF launched the "Pay Back the Money" campaign against then-President Jacob Zuma over the Nkandla scandal. This campaign brought increased visibility to the party, with their chants and protests resonating within Parliament.
In 2016, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that Zuma had violated the Constitution, a decision that laid the groundwork for the Zondo Commission on state capture. Two years later, the EFF filed a motion to amend the Constitution to allow land expropriation without compensation, a move supported by 241 votes in Parliament. By 2019, the EFF's influence extended to university campuses, where the EFF Student Command gained significant victories in SRC elections, including at the University of Cape Town.
One of the more symbolic moments in the party's history came in 2021, when Malema visited Zuma at Nkandla for what became known as the "Nkandla Tea." While details of the meeting were sparse at the time, it was later revealed that Malema had sought to persuade Zuma to cooperate with the Zondo Commission. The meeting marked the beginning of several Zuma allies, such as Carl Niehaus and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, joining the EFF. Despite this, some of these alliances began to fray over time.
In 2020, the EFF announced plans to build the Winnie Mandela Combined School in Alexandra, a project aimed at assisting underprivileged and academically gifted students. However, the promised school has yet to materialize. In March 2023, the party attempted a National Shutdown to protest load shedding and demand President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation. The effort was largely deemed unsuccessful, with misinformation spread by some supporters further undermining its impact.
The EFF faced a major blow in December 2023 when Jacob Zuma launched the MK Party (MKP), a move that dashed the EFF's hopes of a political alliance with the former president in the 2024 elections. Following the elections, the EFF experienced a significant decline in support, dropping to 9.52% of the vote and losing one million votes compared to 2019. While the party initially expressed willingness to participate in a Government of National Unity (GNU), it ultimately refused to join due to the involvement of the DA and FF+.
A key turning point came in August 2024 when Floyd Shivambu, the EFF's deputy president and co-founder, left the party to join the MKP. Malema's reaction was initially conciliatory, inviting Shivambu to return, but soon turned hostile as he accused his former ally of betrayal. This led to heightened tensions between the EFF and MKP, with both parties battling for dominance within the so-called Progressive Caucus.
As the EFF prepares for its elective conference, leadership transitions are expected amid internal instability and competition from emerging rivals like the MKP. The party's ability to address these challenges will shape its future in South African politics.
Internal divisions surfaced in 2015, with prominent members such as Andile Mngxitama and Mpho Ramakatsa expelled amid accusations of authoritarian leadership by Malema. Despite criticism, Malema defended these actions, emphasizing the need for discipline within the party. The same year, the EFF launched the "Pay Back the Money" campaign against then-President Jacob Zuma over the Nkandla scandal. This campaign brought increased visibility to the party, with their chants and protests resonating within Parliament.
In 2016, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that Zuma had violated the Constitution, a decision that laid the groundwork for the Zondo Commission on state capture. Two years later, the EFF filed a motion to amend the Constitution to allow land expropriation without compensation, a move supported by 241 votes in Parliament. By 2019, the EFF's influence extended to university campuses, where the EFF Student Command gained significant victories in SRC elections, including at the University of Cape Town.
One of the more symbolic moments in the party's history came in 2021, when Malema visited Zuma at Nkandla for what became known as the "Nkandla Tea." While details of the meeting were sparse at the time, it was later revealed that Malema had sought to persuade Zuma to cooperate with the Zondo Commission. The meeting marked the beginning of several Zuma allies, such as Carl Niehaus and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, joining the EFF. Despite this, some of these alliances began to fray over time.
In 2020, the EFF announced plans to build the Winnie Mandela Combined School in Alexandra, a project aimed at assisting underprivileged and academically gifted students. However, the promised school has yet to materialize. In March 2023, the party attempted a National Shutdown to protest load shedding and demand President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation. The effort was largely deemed unsuccessful, with misinformation spread by some supporters further undermining its impact.
The EFF faced a major blow in December 2023 when Jacob Zuma launched the MK Party (MKP), a move that dashed the EFF's hopes of a political alliance with the former president in the 2024 elections. Following the elections, the EFF experienced a significant decline in support, dropping to 9.52% of the vote and losing one million votes compared to 2019. While the party initially expressed willingness to participate in a Government of National Unity (GNU), it ultimately refused to join due to the involvement of the DA and FF+.
A key turning point came in August 2024 when Floyd Shivambu, the EFF's deputy president and co-founder, left the party to join the MKP. Malema's reaction was initially conciliatory, inviting Shivambu to return, but soon turned hostile as he accused his former ally of betrayal. This led to heightened tensions between the EFF and MKP, with both parties battling for dominance within the so-called Progressive Caucus.
As the EFF prepares for its elective conference, leadership transitions are expected amid internal instability and competition from emerging rivals like the MKP. The party's ability to address these challenges will shape its future in South African politics.
