- The EFF, according to party president Julius Malema, is set to thrive for another 10 years.
- Speaking to a jubilant crowd of thousands of EFF supporters at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Malema rebuked critics who had previously predicted the party's demise within a year of its formation in 2013.
Emphasizing the Party's Resilience
- Malema highlighted that detractors had dismissed the EFF, claiming it would never secure more than 1% of the vote.
- He refuted these claims, stating, "EFF is not going anywhere, EFF is still here, and EFF is still going to be around. Whether they like it or not. They are witnessing history today."
A Milestone Celebration
- The EFF, currently the third largest party in the country, celebrated its milestone of reaching 10 years with the presence of other opposition parties offering messages of support.
♦️ICYMI♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 30, 2023
CIC @Julius_S_Malema addressing the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
-We don’t want Student Command leaders who don’t pass#EFF10thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/7s44A5ZTZn
Questioning Critics and Journalists
- During his speech, Malema also directed criticism towards journalists who had initially written off the party.
- He questioned their whereabouts, as the EFF's 10th-anniversary rally filled the FNB Stadium to capacity, accommodating 94,000 enthusiastic supporters.
Pride in the EFF's Impact
- Malema expressed pride in the EFF's impact, distancing the party from comparisons to other political entities like Cope, asserting that they are "the generation that our ancestors have been waiting for."
Supportive Gestures
- At the event, EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini made arrangements for supporters to enter the pitch, as the stadium filled up with more attendees outside.
- Malema also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and former ANC Youth League comrade Sindiso Magaqa, highlighting their role in the struggle for change.
Unwavering Determination
- With unwavering determination, Malema declared, "We just came to confirm to them that we are here, we are not going nowhere, and we will be here for the next 10 years."
Opposition Leaders Show Support
- Leaders from various opposition parties, including UDM president Bantu Holomisa and ATM president Vuyo Zungula, attended the EFF's rally and expressed their support.
