EFF at 12: Party celebrates 12 years of 'conscientising' black South Africans
As the EFF prepares to mark its 12th anniversary in Khayelitsha, Marshall Dlamini say the party’s greatest impact lies in awakening political awareness among black South Africans.
EFF leader Julius Malema addressed supporters during the party's land reclamation day rally in Sophiatown on 6 April 2025. Picture: @EFFSouthAfrica/X
702's Clement Manyathela speaks to the EFF’s Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini, ahead of the party’s 12-year anniversary.
Listen below:
Can you believe it's been 12 years since the inception of the EFF?
Next week the party will celebrate 12 years of 'giving black people a voice and restoring their dignity', at Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium in Cape Town.
Its president and Commander-in-Chief, Julius Malema, will deliver the keynote address.
Marshalls says the biggest impact the party has made is in conscientising black people.
"If you can go to the shop floor and see the response and the confidence of a farm worker who doesn't take nonsense and bow down to white supremacy and racism. That's the EFF."
- Marshall Dlamini, EFF Secretary-General
Dlamini says the party has made an impression on those who were not previously politicised.
"Even people who you think might not be interested in politics, they know that the EFF stands for the return of land."
- Marshall Dlamini, EFF Secretary-General
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Dlamini says the party has stood the test of time and, despite challenges — including the departure of several senior EFF members to other parties over the past year — remains strong and resilient.
"When everyone thought the EFF is going to be dead and buried..."
- Marshall Dlamini, EFF Secretary-General
The party remains confident that one day it will be the ruling party of South Africa.
"We are confident that we are going to take over this country."
- Marshall Dlamini, EFF Secretary-General
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.