Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has unveiled a new leadership structure to strengthen the party’s operations nationwide following the party’s first plenum of the third National People’s Assembly (NPA) and Central Command Team (CCT) meeting in Bela Bela, Limpopo.
Malema and Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini will oversee organisational efforts across all provinces, while Deputy President Godrich Gardee has been assigned to Limpopo, Gauteng, and the North West. Deputy Secretary-General Leigh-Ann Mathys will focus on the Free State and Mpumalanga.
Gardee will also head the governance task unit within the party’s war council, with Vuyani Pambo serving as head of the presidency.
National Chairperson Nontanto Nolutshungu has been tasked with overseeing KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape, while Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe will manage the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
As part of its structural adjustments, the EFF has launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Desk, led by Poppy Mailola, to support victims and coordinate outreach initiatives. Additionally, Tebogo Mokwele will head the Labour Desk, handling labour disputes across different sectors.
The party’s communications department will be led by Sinawo Thambo and Thembi Msane, while Mgcini Tshwaku will oversee the Security Desk to ensure the safety of the movement and its members.
Malema also announced that Reneiloe Mashabela will serve as the Chairperson of the National Disciplinary Committee, supported by Thapelo Mogale, Suzan Thembekwayo, Paulnita Marais, and Mapula Ledwaba.
Malema emphasized that 2025 will be the “Year of the Picket Lines”, signaling increased activism and mobilization.
“We are proud of the trusted leadership chosen to steer us forward, and we eagerly anticipate the bold actions they will take during their tenure,” Malema said.
Malema also announced the dissolution of the regional command teams and the EFF Students’ Command, with new guidelines set for creating sub-regional command teams and an EFF Youth Command.
To safeguard student representation at higher education institutions, Malema assured that measures are in place to prevent opposition parties from overturning EFF Student Representative Council (SRC) victories. Once the EFF Youth Command is officially recognized, elections will be conducted under its new structure.
With these strategic changes, the EFF is preparing for an intense year of activism, as it seeks to solidify its influence in both governance and grassroots movements ahead of the 2024 elections.