EFF Sets Conditions for Joining Government of National Unity: Excludes DA and FF Plus

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa's vocal opposition party, has laid out its conditions for participating in the country’s Government of National Unity (GNU). This decision comes fresh off the heels of their recent elective and policy conference that concluded this Sunday.\n\nDuring his closing address at the conference, Julius Malema, re-elected as EFF President, stated the party's willingness to become part of the GNU, provided the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) are not included in the coalition. This stipulation highlights the ongoing political rivalries shaping South Africa's governance landscape, particularly after the ANC’s significant drop in the recent general election, securing only 40% of the votes.\n\nThe election results forced the ANC to enter coalition talks with multiple parties, including DA, IFP, GOOD Party, Patriotic Alliance, UDM, Rise Mzansi, PAC, Al Jama-ah, and Freedom Front Plus, to form a viable government. The EFF itself saw a decrease in support, dropping to 9.5% from 10.8% in the previous elections, yet it remains a crucial player in the country’s political arena.\n\nThe conference was significant not only for its strategic declarations but also for the shifts in leadership within the EFF. Goodrich Gardee has been appointed as the deputy president, while Marshall Dlamini and Leigh-Ann Mathys retain their roles as secretary-general and deputy secretary-general, respectively. These changes in the party’s top brass come at a critical time as the EFF prepares for the 2026 municipal elections aiming to regain lost ground.\n\nMoreover, the conference adopted several organizational changes, notably the dissolution of regional structures to be replaced with sub-regional divisions, and the transformation of the EFF student command into a more inclusive youth structure. This reorganization reflects Malema’s vision of a more streamlined and efficient party structure capable of mobilizing younger demographics across various sectors.\n\nMalema’s rhetoric during the conference was poignant and targeted; he emphasized that the potential participation in the GNU was not about rescuing the ANC but about championing the needs and voices of their constituents. This sentiment resonates with his longstanding critique of the ANC’s governance and highlights his strategic posturing ahead of further electoral challenges.\n\nAs the political chessboard in South Africa continues to evolve, the EFF’s conditional readiness to join the GNU, excluding the DA and FF Plus, sets the stage for intriguing political dynamics as parties navigate the complex terrain of coalition governance.