This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
On Saturday, 3,000 delegates gathered to elect the new leadership of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a radical left-wing party in South Africa. Vote organiser Terry Tselane of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa announced the start of the voting process, saying, "For the position of president, it is Mister Julius Malema, may he please come forward."
Julius Malema, 38, formed the EFF in 2013 after he was expelled from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) due to hate speech convictions. He has since become a prominent figure in South African politics, known for his anti-capitalist rhetoric and support for radical wealth redistribution.
Malema's policies have been met with controversy, including his call for the seizure of white land without compensation. He has also been involved in several court battles, including a recent case where he was accused of embezzlement. However, Malema has denied these allegations, saying that "sensationalism is now the order of the day; starting storms in a tea-cup against those the media simply declares as enemies of society."
Despite the controversy surrounding the party, the EFF has gained significant support in recent years. In last May's general election, the party scored almost 11 percent of the vote, capturing 44 seats in parliament.
Malema's re-election as party president is seen as a victory for his radical policies, which aim to address the economic disparities that persist in South Africa 25 years after the end of apartheid. In his speech to the EFF congress, Malema said, "We are here as the representatives of the poor and the downtrodden, united by our love for our people, and our determination to unchain them from their inhumane realities."
However, the congress has been marred by the party's refusal to accredit various local media, including the online Daily Maverick news site. In solidarity with the banned media, the eNCA news channel decided to suspend coverage of the congress, prompting the EFF to respond with "Good riddance."
