'ANC 2027 conference will elect a president who is anti GNU'

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema declared that his party would be ready to join the government once the African National Congress (ANC) removes the Democratic Alliance (DA) from the current government of national unity (GNU). Malema made the statement during his closing address at the EFF's third elective conference, where he was re-elected as party leader without opposition.

The conference also saw the re-election of the party's top six members, including deputy president Godrich Gardee, secretary general Marshall Dlamini, deputy secretary general Leigh-Ann Mathys, national chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu, and treasurer general Omphile Maotwe.

Malema expressed skepticism about the longevity of the national coalition government, predicting that it would not last. He pointed out that if President Cyril Ramaphosa did not implement the two contentious clauses of the Basic Education Amendment (Bela) Act, the ANC would oust him. Malema further speculated that if Ramaphosa wasn't removed now, it would likely happen after the ANC's 2027 elective conference, with a leader opposed to the GNU replacing him.

Malema's remarks appeared to reference Deputy President Paul Mashatile, a key figure in the coalition with the DA, who had been seen singing anti-GNU songs at the recent South African Communist Party congress. "The person who is going to be elected is a person who is going to fight the GNU, and that is why we are saying it will not last," Malema said, adding that the imposition of the unity government on the ANC was being rejected by party members.

Malema reiterated the EFF's readiness to enter the government when the ANC begins to clash with the DA, but emphasized that the goal would not be to save the ANC, but to work for the people. He predicted that this would pave the way for the EFF to be voted into power in the next elections. He also criticized the ANC's decision to align with right-wing parties and white supremacists instead of progressive black parties. "Our people gave all the progressive black parties a majority to govern in South Africa, the ANC decided to go with right-wingers, racists, white supremacists. It will come back to its senses. When it comes back to its senses, we are here," Malema said.

Addressing the issue of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, Malema clarified that the EFF's participation in the coalition was not contingent on the inclusion of MK. "We want nothing to do with uMkhonto, but it's their own problem if they want them," he said, dismissing the idea of having to choose allies for the ANC. "They were friends together, criminals," he added.

Malema also took the opportunity to reflect on the EFF's internal unity and discipline, stressing that the newly elected leaders had not achieved personal victories but were part of a collective effort. He praised the delegates for resisting attempts to divide the party ahead of the conference, noting that the EFF demonstrated a high level of democracy and discipline without incidents of violence or humiliation.

The EFF leader further emphasized the need for party leaders to grow quickly and learn from the mistakes of other political parties. He warned that factionalism, which destroyed the ANC, could also pose a threat to the EFF. "Our leaders must learn to consult each other. There is no leader here who possesses all of the wisdom," he stated.

In what appeared to be a direct response to EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, who was speculated to be a potential deputy president but did not attend the conference, Malema made it clear that anyone absent from the event could not be considered a leader of the party. "There's no leader of the EFF who's not here in Nasrec. If they are not here, they are not leaders of the EFF," he declared.