Image for illustration purposes. Picture: The Citizen/Neil McCartney A political analyst says the EFF’s trajectory in 2025 offers a revealing snapshot of a party caught between its past promise and its present uncertainties. The party began 12 years ago.
It was strong and resonated with many young people who identified with leftist radical politics. Before the 2024 elections, the party was also the third-largest in parliament and the second-largest opposition party. But 2024 saw the exodus of some of the party’s founders and leaders, including Dali Mpofu, Floyd Shivambu and Fana Mokoena.
Theo Neethling from the University of the Free State toldThe Citizenthat the party continues to insert itself into national debates, successfully drawing attention to issues such as high data costs. He said they have also positioned themselves to fight for their views through legal challenges and using other matters. “Signs of declining public support and persistent criticisms of the leadership underscore a party struggling to convert rhetoric into institutional consolidation.
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“These difficulties are compounded by the broader political and economic headwinds that make meaningful policy implementation increasingly elusive.” Neethling said the departure of prominent party leaders, such as Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, had negatively affected the party. Ndlozi formally announced his departure from the EFF in February this year.
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