Former EFF secretary general Godrich Gardee. (Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) former secretary general Godrich Gardee looks set to replace Floyd Shivambu as the party’s second-in-command after getting party leader Julius Malema’s backing above other candidates for the post.
As the party’s branches consolidate their own preferred candidates to take over from the outgoing party leadership at the Red Berets’ third elective national people’s assembly in December, Malema’s political slate has Gardee as its number two.
This slate is expected to be distributed to branches by provincial leaders ahead of the conference for them to deliberate on. This is despite branches having put Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Veronica Mente forward as their preferred choice for the deputy position.
Backers from Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and Eastern Cape have now also thrown their support behind Gardee.
They argue that he possesses the requisite experience and political maturity, citing his prior role as EFF secretary general and his “successful” tenure in Limpopo as key factors that bolstered his candidacy.
“The former SG has proven himself beyond measure. Talking of loyalty, he has proven it and has obviously received approval from the CIC [commander-in-chief, Malema],” said one senior leader.
“Now it’s about getting the message across to the branches who have fallen in love with Ndlozi. But one thing is certain, what the CIC wants, he will get. Gardee will be the second-in-command, not Mente, Vuyani Phambo or Ndlozi.”
Malema’s slate dominated the second elective conference in 2019, when provincial leaders were instructed to ensure the branches delivered the slate as it is. It saw the removal of Gardee from the position of secretary general, replacing him with Marshall Dlamini.
On Wednesday, Malema showed his hand to anti-Gardee supporters by expelling EFF student command member Kganki Mphalele after a social media spat in which the latter openly challenged the party leader not to impose Gardee because the party had chosen Ndlozi.
Mphahlele had made it clear that the student movement does not want Gardee.
“We want Mbuyiseni Ndlozi as [EFF] branches. Julius and all his deployees must not dare start a war with branches. War is a very difficult thing,” he said.
“Try me boys,” Malema responded to Mphahlele, after which the student was expelled on accusation of bringing the party into disrepute.
The EFF is also dealing with mistrust in the wake of the departure of former deputy Shivambu and other key leaders originally brought into the party by Malema.
In an interview with podcaster Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh last week,Shivambu said members of the EFF central command team knew about his impending departure but did not alert Malema. Many in the party now suggest that some of Malema’s closest allies — including Ndlozi — kept quiet while Shivambu’s defection to the uMkhonto weSizwe party was being discussed.
Sources told the Mail & Guardian this week that Ndlozi’s name did not appear in Malema’s slate because he had missed the cut in the interest of ensuring the gender balance required in the EFF’s top leadership.
“The guidelines of the party say that a 50/50 balance must be achieved in the conference. Already his lieutenants are in the slate. The secretary general is expected to retain his position, unless the branches disobey the order and elect Ndlozi in his place. Then he has a chance,” one senior EFF member said.
“But if he is elected into the position, he will be frustrated to quit because he was not chosen like they have done with Mandisa Mashego. We are stepping onto difficult terrain and we are preparing for a revolt.”
The leaders acknowledged that this year could be different because party members seemed to be charting their own way, and were resolute in their demand for a “better” deputy after Shivambu.
Ndlozi has increasingly garnered the support of the party’s younger members, who are lobbying for his candidacy as deputy leader. Many see him as a symbol of change and renewal and capable of bridging generational divides in the party.
“His ability to articulate the party’s policies and his ability to resonate with many ground forces, coupled with his track record of engaging with grassroots issues, has positioned him as a compelling candidate in the eyes of many party members. Not including him in the party’s slate would be very amiss,” said a senior member.
But Ndlozi’s popularity may have alienated him from Malema and could keep him out of a senior position.
“Commissar Ndlozi is very popular amongst the branches. The man spent time with the people, he is relatable and would win any election. As a party that values education and articulation, the man ticks all those boxes, but as you have seen, soldiers have been sent out to deter him and insult him,” the EFF leader said.
“This is strategic and it’s only meant to make him back off because he is a serious threat, probably the only leader that can succeed the CIC if he ever steps down.”
The sources who spoke to the M&G said support for Phambo has diminished, effectively removing him from contention in the leadership race. Mente, who has been seen until now as a strong contender for the deputy position, is now expected to retain her position as national chairperson after Gardee got the nod from Malema.
Nontando Nolutshungu, who is an MP, is also being touted to become a member of the top six.
The 2024 edition of the national people’s assembly — which is convened every five years to elect new leaders — is expected to take place from 12 to 15 December at Nasrec in Johannesburg.
Ninety percent of the delegates will be from party branches, with the remaining 10% coming from provincial leaders and the central command team, which serves as the EFF’s highest decision-making body and national structure.
To participate in the conference, branches must meet a minimum threshold of having contributed 10% of the votes obtained by the EFF in their constituency during the May elections.