EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini lauded former deputy president Floyd Shivambu and head of political education Mbuyiseni Ndlozi during his organisational report at the party’s third National People’s Assembly (NPA) held at the Nasrec Centre in Johannesburg.
Shivambu, who recently left the EFF to join the newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and Ndlozi, currently unaffiliated after being barred from the NPA, received glowing recognition for their contributions to the party’s growth and ideological development.
Dlamini’s Tribute to Shivambu
Dlamini credited Shivambu with spearheading initiatives to “consolidate the ground towards socialist power” and shaping the party’s policy direction. His leadership in organising intellectual political lectures and advocacy for marginalised communities was highlighted as a cornerstone of his tenure.
“The former deputy president was a tireless advocate for change,” Dlamini told the 2,000 delegates. “He led innovative programmes that empowered marginalised communities and dismantled systemic barriers.”
Shivambu was commended for his role in legislative matters, particularly his leadership in the Ad-Hoc Committee that worked to amend Section 25 of the Constitution for land expropriation without compensation. His efforts extended internationally, where he represented the South African Parliament at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, advocating for gender parity and youth representation in governance.
Dlamini also praised Shivambu for leading impactful protest actions, such as the #BlackLivesMatter picket and demonstrations targeting South African billionaire Johann Rupert’s properties in Mpumalanga. Additionally, Shivambu’s work through the now-disbanded Governance Task Unit (GTU) was acknowledged as a significant success in parliament.
Ndlozi’s Behind-the-Scenes Contributions
Ndlozi’s work in shaping the EFF’s ideological framework and educational efforts was equally celebrated. Dlamini highlighted Ndlozi’s role in organising lectures on Marxism and Leninism, conducted by Shivambu, which provided clarity on the party’s ideological foundations.
As part of the EFF’s 2023 theme, “Year of Mass Political Education and Voter Registration,” Ndlozi developed visual content detailing the party’s origins and ideological pillars, rooted in Marxism, Leninism, and Fanonism.
“The National Political School, led by Ndlozi, trained Political Education Officers nationwide,” noted Dlamini. “This initiative capacitated EFF members to host membership induction workshops at branch level.”
In addition to ideological education, Ndlozi was praised for his cultural contributions, including the production of the popular EFF Jazz Hours volumes 4 and 5, and his leadership in the acclaimed Leruo stage play performed at the Soweto Theatre. He also oversaw the creation of the EFF’s 10th-anniversary documentary, as well as public poetry and essay competitions.
A Legacy of Impact
Dlamini’s report emphasized that Shivambu and Ndlozi played pivotal roles in shaping the EFF’s identity and advancing its mission. While Shivambu’s departure and Ndlozi’s absence from the party remain significant, Dlamini’s praise underscores their lasting impact on the red berets’ journey.
