The re-elected president of the EFF, Julius Malema, celebrated the success of the four-day third National People's Assembly without any reported incidents of violence and destruction. This, as the party faced numerous attempts to be distracted and countless attempts to inspire division, factionalism, and disunity ahead of the conference and loss of prominent leaders to the MK Party. 

SMALL PARTY FUNDINGS

The four-day conference was held under the theme defend, rebuild and advance the struggle for economic Freedom. Speaking at the third National People's Assembly Malema said in the last decade those in the public domain have characterised the party as belonging to an individual and relied on an individual for survival. "We have proven once again that this is a movement of the people. To social commentators, the democratic gathering of Black people is characterised by violence and slander. They tried to undermine this conference," he said. The president of Build One South Africa (BOSA), Mmusi Maimane, was invited to give a message of support at the conference, just a day after Malema dragged his party for receiving funding in millions from a Sandton businesswoman only to secure two seats in Parliament. He said donors are funding small political parties to divide the black votes. Maimane said although their parties may not agree on ideology with the EFF, they are all fighting for the same cause. "One day we will coincide as a river that will one day march on towards a new dawn in South Africa. We will stand together to fight poor service delivery; we must stand together and say enough is enough. Now is the time for change," Maimane said. He added that the country can't have two South Africas, where some citizens are enjoying true freedom while others are lingering in poverty. He said he and Malema collaborated in many places. "As such, when he invited me to the conference, it didn't come as a shock. I felt we were building relations."

READY FOR 2026 ELECTIONS

While delivering the declaration of the assembly, the newly elected secretary-general, Marshal Dlamini, said: "Your leaders are those who you have elected during this conference; those who are not here are not your leaders. Don't agree to be led or be directed by people you didn't elect. The EFF is here and will not die tomorrow. We are here as a collective to lead the people of South Africa. They declared the death of the party, but we are here and still going. The EFF is re-energised and ready to start campaigning for the upcoming 2026 local elections."

READY FOR GNU

The party leadership added that they are preparing to join the Government of National Unity (GNU). "It is only a matter of time that the ANC and DA fight, and we will be ready to take over," he said. The party has added their voice calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the two outstanding sections of the Bela Bill Act. They join a list of organisations calling for the bill to be passed in its entirety as soon as possible. Malema said if Ramaphosa fails, they will take to the streets in protest calling for the bill to be passed in its entirety as soon as possible. Malema said if Ramaphosa fails they will take to the streets in protest.