Economic Freedom Fighters Celebrates 12 Years in Cape Town, South Africans Reacts

• The Economic Freedom Fighters celebrated its 12th anniversary in Cape Town, Western Cape
• High-ranking members of the party descended onto Cape Town to celebrate its founding 12 years ago
• South Africans discussed its journey from its inception, and many discussed its future

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will celebrate its 12th anniversary in the Cape Flats on 26 July 2025.

According to SABC News, the Red Berets are celebrating their 12th anniversary at the Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium in Khayelitsha. The party is expecting 10,000 people to attend the celebrations. The EFF was founded in 2013 by president Julius Malema and former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who has since joined the Mkhonto Wesizwe Party.

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What has been happening in the EFF?

The EFF had a tumultuous year in 2024. It experienced a decline in electoral support during the 2024 general elections. The party received 8% of the votes, which was a stark drop from the 12% it obtained in the 2024 general elections.

The party then experienced an exodus of members defecting to join other parties, most notably the MK Party. The party's former deputy president and co-founder, Floyd Shivambu, announced his departure in August and joined the MK Party. He went on to become the party's secretary general before he was removed from his position.

Advocates Dali Mpofu and Busi Mkhwebane also left the party and joined the MK Party. Mkhwebane, who was the former Public Protector, was the first Public Protector to be impeached. She resigned from the party and said she would focus on her family. However, less than a month later, she joined the MK Party.

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Mzwanele Manyi, who was an EFF member of Parliament, also resigned to join the MK Party at the same time as Shivambu. The party also held its fourth elective conference, where Julius Malema was elected unopposed as the party's president. Godrich Gardee was elected unopposed as the deputy president, replacing Shivambu.

What did South Africans say?

South Africans shared their views on the celebrations.

Vanessa Tracey Westhuizen said:

"Malema is the only man with balls of steel in South Africa."

Clarens Civic Lens said:

"12 years since the movement was started, there's so much to discuss concerning the party."

Molefe Obakeng said:

"He's going to upset many by singing that song."

Roy Bennet said:

"We want him in the Northern Cape."

Julius Malema gives Nobuhle Nkabane advice

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Malema gave advice to Nobuhle Nkabane, the former Minister of Higher Education and Training. He told her to stop chewing gum.

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Malema's remarks came after Nkabane was criticised for chewing gum during her appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education. He said she is still young and has a chance to get back on her feet.

Source: Briefly News