As the Economic Freedom Fighters gears up for its fifth anniversary celebrations to be held at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on July 28, five of its eight regions in the province elected new regional leaders during the weekend.
These were Buffalo City Metro (BCM), Chris Hani, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Nelson Mandela regions.
The commander-in-chief Julius Malema addressed two of the assemblies, BCM and OR Tambo, where he told the delegates to study more.
In a recording heard by the Daily Dispatch as media were prevented from attending the assembly, Malema told the over 240 OR Tambo delegates to prioritise education.
Malema was accompanied by the party’s secretary-general Godrich Gardee, treasurer-general Leigh Ann Myths and MP Susan Thembekwayo.
Malema, who is registered with the University of South Africa (Unisa), said members should not stop studying and that age was no factor in the process of education.
“You must never stop studying because you think you are old,” said Malema.
He also encouraged even those that did not have matric certificates to go back to school.
“If you think you are too old for matric, quietly go back, there are bigger responsibilities awaiting for you in future. We will be accused of deploying uneducated people because you were with us in the struggle. Go back to school,” said Malema.
Nelson Mandela Bay elected Ngawethu Madaka, the BCM will be led by Mziyanda Hlekiso, OR Tambo by Mzukisi Fukula and Alfred Ndzo will be led by Mawande Magadla. Chris Hani region has elected Xhanti Kani.
The new leadership also includes Lona Tshotsho, a 27-year-old female who was elected the secretary of one of the biggest regions of the party OR Tambo. The region gathered 246 delegates. This weekend the outstanding three regions will elect their new executive.
This first leg of regional assemblies is another step into the party rebuilding its provincial structure which was disbanded in 2016.
The Eastern Cape was disbanded along with KwaZulu-Natal from branch level up.
The central command team at the time said only when the provinces have managed to launch 90% of their branches in all eight regions, would they be allowed to hold provincial assemblies.
The EFF occupies two seats in the provincial legislature and has over 70 councillors across the municipalities. Last year the province made attempts to hold an assembly but could not convince its national office of its readiness.
Provincial coordinator Yazini Tetyana said the party held successful assemblies which were “incident free”.
“The immediate task of the regional command team is to intensify the existence of the EFF across all wards and voting stations, to prepare the ground for EFF’s electoral take over in next year’s election,” said Tetyana..