EFF Member of Parliament Nazier Paulsen
By Thabo Mosia
EFF Member of Parliament Nazier Paulsen recently took to social media platform X to reflect on the challenges the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) faced during the 2024 elections. He emphasised that the party encountered opposition from various fronts, including rival political parties such as Rise Mzansi, BOSA, ActionSA, DA, and the ANC, alongside internal adversaries. Paulsen’s message highlighted that, despite emerging from the elections with “some scars and a few casualties,” the project aimed at destroying the EFF had “failed dismally,” and the party would continue its efforts to rebuild and recover.
EFF’s 2024 Election Performance
The 2024 national elections were a pivotal moment for the EFF, as they sought to build on their momentum from the 2019 elections. Nationally, the party managed to secure 38 seats in the National Assembly, a slight decline from the 44 seats they held following the 2019 elections. This decline was largely attributed to the rise of new political entities like Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, which siphoned off votes from the EFF and ANC alike.
In several provinces, particularly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the EFF experienced a drop in support, with Zuma’s new MK Party capturing a portion of their traditional voter base. The EFF had previously been seen as the political home for some of Zuma’s supporters who were disillusioned with the ANC, but after the formation of the MK Party, many of these voters returned to support Zuma.
The Rise of the MK Party and Its Impact
The MK Party, led by Jacob Zuma, made a significant impact as a newcomer in the 2024 elections, managing to win a modest yet symbolic number of parliamentary seats. The party’s emergence created ripples, particularly among former ANC supporters, many of whom felt politically homeless after Zuma’s departure from the ANC. EFF leader Julius Malema had previously remarked that many of Zuma’s supporters initially backed the EFF but shifted allegiance to the MK Party once it was officially launched.
The MK Party’s presence was felt most strongly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it posed a serious challenge to both the ANC and the EFF, impacting their vote shares in the region.
Floyd Shivambu’s Departure and Allegations of Internal Sabotage
The EFF also faced a significant internal challenge with the departure of its Deputy President, Floyd Shivambu, who left the party to join the MK Party. Shivambu’s resignation, which took place during a media briefing on 15 August 2024, was widely speculated to be a strategic move that would weaken the EFF from within. Some political analysts suggested that Shivambu had been working with the MK Party in secret to erode the EFF’s support base, a claim that Shivambu has denied.
Despite Shivambu’s departure, there were expectations that more EFF members would follow him to the MK Party. However, only a few prominent figures, such as Mzwanele Manyi and Mmabatho Mokause, left the EFF to join the MK Party. In response to these defections, EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini dismissed the significance of these departures, stating that they were not detrimental to the party’s stability.
EFF Ground Forces and Organisational Assessments
Following the election, Julius Malema and the EFF Central Command Team (CCT) embarked on a series of provincial visits to assess the state of the organisation. Malema’s address to the Gauteng ground forces earlier in August was particularly notable, as he acknowledged the party’s loss of votes but maintained that the EFF would continue to strengthen its organisational structures. Malema’s message during these visits was one of resilience and determination, as the party looked to rebuild and regain the ground it had lost in the elections.
The EFF has been conducting regional assessments to evaluate the impact of the election results and to strategise on how to regain voter confidence ahead of future elections.
Sihle Lonzi’s Comments on the MK Party and Floyd Shivambu
The president of the EFF Students Command (EFFSC), Sihle Lonzi, has also weighed in on the MK Party’s emergence and Floyd Shivambu’s departure from the EFF. Lonzi expressed disappointment in Shivambu’s decision, arguing that the EFF had provided him with a platform to grow politically, and his defection was a betrayal of the party’s cause. Lonzi also criticised the MK Party for being opportunistic in capitalising on discontent among former ANC and EFF supporters.
Shivambu’s Explanation for Leaving the EFF
During the MK Party media conference, Floyd Shivambu addressed the reasons behind his departure from the EFF. He stated that his decision was based on ideological differences and a growing frustration with the EFF’s direction, particularly concerning its stance on the Government of National Unity (GNU). Shivambu expressed his belief that the MK Party represented a more authentic platform for advancing the interests of South Africans, particularly those aligned with former president Jacob Zuma’s vision for the country.
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